python

¹ American  

[pahy-thon, -thuhn] / ˈpaɪ θɒn, -θən /

noun

1. any of several Old World boa constrictors of the subfamily Pythoninae, often growing to a length of more than 20 feet (6 meters): the Indian python, Python molurus, is endangered.

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Python ² American  

[pahy-thon, -thuhn] / ˈpaɪ θɒn, -θən /

noun

Classical Mythology.

1. a large dragon who guarded the chasm at Delphi from which prophetic vapors emerged. He was finally killed by Apollo, who established his oracle on the site.

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python ³ American  

[pahy-thon, -thuhn] / ˈpaɪ θɒn, -θən /

noun

1. a spirit or demon.

2. a person who is possessed by a spirit and prophesies by its aid.

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Python ⁴ American  

[pahy-thon] / ˈpaɪ θɒn /

Digital Technology, Trademark.

1. an open-source, high-level programming language known for its readability and support for multiple programming styles, and, due to its many libraries, a large range of applications.

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Python ¹ British  

/ ˈpaɪθən /

noun

1. Greek myth a dragon, killed by Apollo at Delphi

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python ² British  

/ paɪˈθɒnɪk, ˈpaɪθən /

noun

1. any large nonvenomous snake of the family Pythonidae of Africa, S Asia, and Australia, such as Python reticulatus ( reticulated python ). They can reach a length of more than 20 feet and kill their prey by constriction

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Other Word Forms

• pythonic adjective

Etymology

Origin of python¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from New Latin; special use of Python ¹

Origin of Python²

First recorded in 1390–1400; Middle English, from Latin Pȳthōn, from Greek Pȳ́thōn; Pythian ( def. ); perhaps akin to Typhôn, a part-serpent monster

Origin of python³

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Greek pȳ́thōn; relation to Python ¹ unclear

Origin of Python⁴

Coined in 1989 by Python's creator, Dutch programmer Guido van Rossum (born 1956), after the comedy troupe Monty Python

Example Sentences

An investor who went from the stock market to the bond market was like a small, furry creature raised on an island without predators removed to a pit full of pythons.

From Literature

Using powerful microscopes, the researchers discovered that species such as ball pythons, Angolan pythons, and Madagascan tree boas produce urates made up of tiny textured spheres between 1 and 10 micrometers across.

From Science Daily

Located on a 39-square-mile airstrip in the middle of the Everglades and surrounded by wetlands inhabited by alligators, pythons, and crocodiles, the remote location is what most appeals to officials.

From Salon

Xander Robin’s “The Python Hunt” examines a Florida contest to capture pythons in the Everglades.

From Los Angeles Times

Traditional survey techniques are estimated to identify less than 5% of Burmese pythons.

From Science Daily