rattlesnake

[ rat-l-sneyk ]

noun

1. any of several New World pit vipers of the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus, having a rattle composed of a series of horny, interlocking elements at the end of the tail.

rattlesnake

/ ˈrætəlˌsneɪk /

noun

1. any of the venomous New World snakes constituting the genera Crotalus and Sistrurus , such as C. horridus ( black or timber rattlesnake ): family Crotalidae (pit vipers). They have a series of loose horny segments on the tail that are vibrated to produce a buzzing or whirring sound

Word History and Origins

Origin of rattlesnake¹

An Americanism dating back to 1620–30; rattle ¹ + snake

Example Sentences

Rattlesnakes are dangerous, but most people in rattlesnake country don’t live their days in fear.

From Outside Online

However, the animal welfare league said no signs were found of other rattlesnakes or of a nest.

From Washington Post

The tiger rattlesnake, which lives in Arizona and northern Mexico, produces a highly unusual venom.

From Popular-Science

So, trying to understand what is driving all the different venom variation we see among rattlesnakes.

From Popular-Science

This suggests that at least half, and possibly even more, of the tiger rattlesnake’s venom-related genes don’t actually contribute to its venom.

From Popular-Science

In May 2012, Mark Wolford, a third-generation snake handler, also died after being bitten by a rattlesnake.

From The Daily Beast

You can even purchase a “Canned Exotic Meat Gift Set,” which includes rattlesnake, alligator, elk, and buffalo.

From The Daily Beast

In other words, a bunch of guys grabbing their guns and waving a flag emblazoned with a rattlesnake is not a militia.

From The Daily Beast

If you don't take vitamins on a regular basis it's like going to bed with a rattlesnake,” he declared, “it's going to get you.

From The Daily Beast

Unlike European vamps, Skinner is powered by the sun and, true to his native environment, has rattlesnake fangs.

From The Daily Beast

Quite a shower of shell fell all about us, the Turks having spotted there was some sort of "bloke" on the Rattlesnake.

From Project Gutenberg

Most of us showed signs, I will not say of being rattled, but of having stumbled against a rattlesnake.

From Project Gutenberg

Its scaly body wound about her boot, the flat head swaying from side to side, was a huge rattlesnake.

From Project Gutenberg

Several times she had startled antelope, and once her horse had shied at a rattlesnake coiled in the sunshine.

From Project Gutenberg

We both knowed well enough it was some more work of the rattlesnake-skin; so what was the use to talk about it?

From Project Gutenberg