ophidian
[ oh-fid-ee-uh n ]
/ oʊˈfɪd i ən /
adjective
belonging or pertaining to the suborder Ophidia (Serpentes), comprising the snakes.
noun
a snake.
RELATED WORDS
Nearby words
- opgefok,
- ophelia,
- opheltes,
- ophiasis,
- ophicleide,
- ophidiid,
- ophidiophobia,
- ophio-,
- ophiolatry,
- ophiolite
Origin of ophidian
1820–30; < New Latin Ophidi(a) (plural) name of the suborder (< Greek ophídion (singular), equivalent to óph(is) serpent + -idion diminutive suffix) + -an
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Examples from the Web for ophidian
ophidian
/ (əʊˈfɪdɪən) /
adjective
snakelike
of, relating to, or belonging to the Ophidia, a suborder of reptiles that comprises the snakes
noun
any reptile of the suborder Ophidia; a snake
Word Origin for ophidian
C19: from New Latin Ophidia name of suborder, from Greek ophidion, from ophis snake
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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ophidian
"pertaining to snakes," 1883, from Greek ophidion, diminutive of ophis "serpent" (see ophio-). Hence, ophiolatry "serpent-worship" (1862), and the 2c. sect of the Ophitæ, who revered the serpent as the symbol of divine wisdom.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
ophidian
[ ō-fĭd′ē-ən ]
A member of the suborder Ophidia or Serpentes; a snake.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.