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ophidian

[ oh-fid-ee-uhn ]
/ oʊˈfɪd i ən /
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See synonyms for: ophidian / ophidians on Thesaurus.com

adjective
belonging or pertaining to the suborder Ophidia (Serpentes), comprising the snakes.
noun
a snake.
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Origin of ophidian

First recorded in 1820–30; from New Latin Ophidi(a) (neuter plural) name of the suborder (from Greek ophídion (neuter singular), equivalent to óph(is) “serpent” + -idion diminutive suffix) + -an
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use ophidian in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions 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 Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Scientific definitions for ophidian

ophidian
[ ō-fĭdē-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.
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