copperhead

American  

[kop-er-hed] / ˈkɒp ərˌhɛd /

noun

1. a venomous snake, Agkistrodon (Ancistrodon ) contortrix, of the eastern and southern U.S., having a light-brown to copper-red body marked with darker bands.

2. an extremely venomous but sluggish snake, Denisonia superba, of Australia and Tasmania, having a reddish to black body, depending on the region.

3. Copperhead,

   1. U.S. History. a Northern Democrat who opposed the Civil War, advocating peace and restoration of the Union even if slavery continued.

   2. Military. a finned, 155 mm cannon-launched U.S. Army artillery shell that homes on the target, using the reflection of a laser beam projected by a forward observer.

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copperhead British  

/ ˈkɒpəˌhɛd /

noun

1. a venomous reddish-brown snake, Agkistrodon contortrix, of the eastern US: family Crotalidae (pit vipers)

2. a venomous reddish-brown Australian elapid snake, Denisonia superba

3. informal a Yankee supporter of the South during the Civil War

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Etymology

Origin of copperhead

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75; copper ¹ + head

Example Sentences

“That was a snake, a copperhead,” he told me as he picked up what was left of the snake with a stick.

From Literature

It is said that copperheads are very shy of humans.

From Literature

According to Penn State, warm, humid nights after a period of rain are the best time to see copperheads.

From National Geographic

It wasn't long before she had her own run-ins with the slithering creatures—including a bite she received from a copperhead while doing yardwork.

From Scientific American

They can even handle the bite from venomous snakes such as cottonmouths, timber rattlesnakes and copperheads.

From Washington Post

Related Words

• cobra