massasauga
[ mas-uh-saw-guh ]
/ ˌmæs əˈsɔ gə /
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noun
a small rattlesnake, Sistrurus catenatus, ranging from the Great Lakes to the Mexican border.
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Question 1 of 7
Let’s start with some etymology: What are the origins of the typographical word “bracket”?
First appeared around 1750, and is related to the French word “braguette” for the name of codpiece armor.
First appeared in 1610, based on the French word “baguette” for the long loaf of bread.
First appeared in 1555, and is related to the French word “raquette” for a netted bat.
TAKE THE QUIZ TO FIND OUT Origin of massasauga
First recorded in 1830–40; irregular after Missisauga River, Ontario, Canada
Words nearby massasauga
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Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for massasauga
The massasauga is the rattlesnake occasionally found in the swamps from western New York to Nebraska, but it is rare.
On the Trail|Lina Beard and Adelia Belle BeardOne found at another locality had apparently hibernated in company with a massasauga (Sistrurus catenatus).
Natural History of the Racer Coluber constrictor|Henry S. FitchThe Massasauga is one of the smaller rattlesnakes, averaging about two feet in length.
Pathfinder|Alan DouglasThe other occurs from Ohio to Nebraska, where it is called massasauga.
Health on the Farm|H. F. Harris
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British Dictionary definitions for massasauga
massasauga
/ (ˌmæsəˈsɔːɡə) /
noun
a North American venomous snake, Sistrurus catenatus, that has a horny rattle at the end of the tail: family Crotalidae (pit vipers)
Word Origin for massasauga
C19: named after the Missisauga River, Ontario, Canada, where it was first found
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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