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

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention note that outdoor workers who step on or near a copperhead are most likely to be bitten.

From National Geographic • Jul. 25, 2023

Of these snakes, two were venomous—one copperhead and one cottonmouth.

From Scientific American • Sep. 18, 2022

If you do see a copperhead, leave it alone or call a professional to relocate the snake to a safer place.

From Washington Post • May 31, 2022

Once, as we lifted the refrigerator, a copperhead bolted out and slithered over my sneaker.

From Slate • Dec. 24, 2018

He stands in front of Dill and lifts the copperhead off himself.

From "The Serpent King" by Jeff Zentner

Related Words

• cobra