grass snake

noun

1. Also called ring snake. a common European snake, Natrix natrix, having a collar of bright orange or yellow.
2. any of various small, slender snakes of North America, as the garter snake or green snake.

grass snake

noun

1. a harmless nonvenomous European colubrid snake, Natrix natrix, having a brownish-green body with variable markings
2. any of several similar related European snakes, such as Natrix maura ( viperine grass snake )

Word History and Origins

Origin of grass snake¹

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

The shriek of the field-mouse startled you no more, nor the swift dry rustle of the grass-snake.

From Project Gutenberg

Grass-snake and viper have crawled away into warm hiding places in banks or among the roots of trees.

From Project Gutenberg

There, curled up under the tiny spear of green, was a young grass snake about three inches long.

From Project Gutenberg

He had expended the enormous sum of a shilling the day before on a grass snake.

From Project Gutenberg

I will run from a snake no longer than your little finger—in fact, I'm just as scared of a little grass snake as I am of a python.

From Project Gutenberg