serpentine
1[ sur-puhn-teen, -tahyn ]
/ ˈsɜr pənˌtin, -ˌtaɪn /
adjective
of, characteristic of, or resembling a serpent, as in form or movement.
having a winding course, as a road; sinuous.
shrewd, wily, or cunning.
noun
verb (used without object), ser·pen·tined, ser·pen·tin·ing.
to make or follow a winding course: The stream serpentines through the valley.
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Definition for serpentine (2 of 2)
serpentine2
[ sur-puhn-teen, -tahyn ]
/ ˈsɜr pənˌtin, -ˌtaɪn /
noun
a common mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, H2Mg3Si2O2, usually oily green and sometimes spotted, occurring in many varieties: used for architectural and decorative purposes.
Origin of serpentine
21350–1400; Middle English serpentyn<Medieval Latin serpentīnum, noun use. of neuter of serpentīnusserpentine1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2021
Example sentences from the Web for serpentine
British Dictionary definitions for serpentine (1 of 2)
serpentine1
/ (ˈsɜːpənˌtaɪn) /
adjective
of, relating to, or resembling a serpent
twisting; winding
noun
maths a curve that is symmetric about the origin of and asymptotic to the x -axis
Word Origin for serpentine
C14: from Late Latin serpentīnus, from serpēns serpent
British Dictionary definitions for serpentine (2 of 2)
serpentine2
/ (ˈsɜːpənˌtaɪn) /
noun
a dark green or brown mineral with a greasy or silky lustre, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is used as an ornamental stone; and one variety (chrysotile) is known as asbestos. Composition: hydrated magnesium silicate. Formula: Mg 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 . Crystal structure: monoclinic
any of a group of minerals having the general formula (Mg,Fe) 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4
Word Origin for serpentine
C15 serpentyn, from Medieval Latin serpentīnum serpentine 1; referring to the snakelike patterns of these minerals
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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Scientific definitions for serpentine
serpentine
[ sûr′pən-tēn′, -tīn′ ]
Any of a group of greenish, brownish, or yellowish monoclinic minerals, occurring in igneous or metamorphic rocks. They are used as a source of magnesium and asbestos. Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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