serpentine

Adjective
US[sur-puhn-tahyn]/ˈsɝpənˌtaɪn/3 syllables
Synonyms: snakysnakelike

Open English WordNet

Adjective (1)

  1. resembling a serpent in form“a serpentine wall”“snaky ridges in the sand”Synonyms: snakysnakelikeOpposite straightSimilar curved, curving
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Ser′pen·tine adjective

Origin: L. serpentinus: cf. F. serpentin.

Resembling a serpent; having the shape or qualities of a serpent; subtle; winding or turning one way and the other, like a moving serpent; anfractuous; meandering; sinuous; zigzag; as, serpentine braid.

Thy shape Like his, and color serpentine.— John Milton
Ser′pen·tine noun

Origin: Cf. (for sense 1) F. serpentine, (for sense 2) serpentin.

1. Mineralogy A mineral or rock consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of magnesia. It is usually of an obscure green color, often with a spotted or mottled appearance resembling a serpent's skin. Precious, or noble, serpentine is translucent and of a rich oil-green color.

☞ Serpentine has been largely produced by the alteration of other minerals, especially of chrysolite.

2. Ordnance A kind of ancient cannon.

Ser′pen·tine intransitive verb

To serpentize. rare Lyttleton.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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