king snake

or king·snake

noun

any of several New World constrictors of the genus Lampropeltis, that often feed on other snakes.

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Origin of king snake

An Americanism dating back to 1700–10; king + snake

Words nearby king snake

king plank, king post, king prawn, king rail, king salmon, king snake, king truss, king vulture, king william island, king william's war, king's bench
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2020

Example sentences from the Web for king snake

  • The King-Snake is the longest of all others, and not common; no Snake (they say) will meddle with them.

    A New Voyage to Carolina|John Lawson

  • The king-snake should be protected in regions infested by "rattlers."

    Elementary Zoology, Second Edition|Vernon L. Kellogg

  • Well, he's harmless, I think—a king-snake, if I am not mistaken.

    Quick Action|Robert W. Chambers

British Dictionary definitions for king snake

king snake

noun

any nonvenomous North American colubrid snake of the genus Lampropeltis, feeding on other snakes, small mammals, etc
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