grass snake

American  

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.

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grass snake British  

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 )

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Etymology

Origin of grass snake

An Americanism dating back to 1835–45

Example Sentences

His passion was sparked by his capture of a grass snake when he was 4 years old.

From Los Angeles Times • May 23, 2023

The UK has three native snake species - the adder, the grass snake and the smooth snake.

From BBC • Jul. 19, 2022

"Sometimes we get to jobs like this and it turns out to be a harmless grass snake," he said.

From BBC • Dec. 22, 2021

On that same ride I spotted an owl, rabbits and a grass snake wriggling into a bush.

From The Guardian • Jun. 19, 2014

And sometimes Avery would find a little grass snake in the hay, and would add it to the other things in his pocket.

From "Charlotte's Web" by E.B. White