blacksnake

or black snake

[ blak-sneyk ]

noun

1. Also called black racer. a blackish racer, Coluber constrictor subspecies, of the eastern U.S., that grows to a length of 6 feet (1.8 meters).
2. any of various other snakes of a black or very dark color.
3. a heavy, tapering, flexible whip of braided cowhide or the like.

blacksnake

/ ˈblækˌsneɪk /

noun

1. any of several Old World black venomous elapid snakes, esp Pseudechis porphyriacus ( Australian blacksnake )
2. any of various dark nonvenomous snakes, such as Coluber constrictor (black racer)
3. a long heavy pliant whip of braided leather or rawhide

Word History and Origins

Origin of blacksnake¹

An Americanism dating back to 1625–35; black + snake

Example Sentences

Anyway, I am going to cure her of the sleeping sickness, even if I have to invest in a blacksnake whip.

From Project Gutenberg

And the teamster pranced out and brandished his blacksnake whip menacingly.

From Project Gutenberg

With a couple of effortless bounds, the blackcat reached the trunk and slipped up it with the ease and speed of a blacksnake.

From Project Gutenberg

Born and reared in the rough timber-grown hills of Kentucky, he was as slim and active as a blacksnake.

From Project Gutenberg

Let us be strong, and punish the venomous Blacksnake, as we punished the big soldier long ago.

From Project Gutenberg