coral snake

noun

any of numerous venomous elapid snakes, found chiefly in the New World tropics, as Micrurus fulvius (eastern coral snake), of the southeastern U.S., often brilliantly marked with bands of red, yellow, and black.

any of several other snakes, as of the genus Calliophis, of Asia, having red markings.

Origin of coral snake

First recorded in 1750–50

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for coral snake

Historical Examples of coral snake

I dell you a coral-snake is a peauty—all red und white like coral dot has been gestrung in bands upon der neck of a girl.
Life's Handicap
Rudyard Kipling
The coral-snake is much the same in color, and only a close observer would notice the difference.
On the Trail
Lina Beard and Adelia Belle Beard
The harlequin snake and the coral-snake are so similar in color and in habits, one description for both will answer our purpose.
On the Trail
Lina Beard and Adelia Belle Beard

British Dictionary definitions for coral snake

coral snake

noun

any venomous elapid snake of the genus Micrurus and related genera, of tropical and subtropical America, marked with red, black, yellow, and white transverse bands

any of various other brightly coloured elapid snakes of Africa and SE Asia

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

coral snake

noun

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Origin of coral snake

Examples from the Web for coral snake

Historical Examples of coral snake

coral snake

noun