Dictionary

water adder en · NOUN

Etymology

From Middle English water addre, watyradyr, watir edyr, alteration (see adder) of water neddyr, watyrnedyre, from Old English wæternædre, wæternǣdre, equivalent to water + adder. Cognate with Dutch wateradder (“wateradder”), German Wassernatter (“watersnake”).

Meanings

1. A water mocassin (Agkistrodon piscivorus), a venomous aquatic snake of North America.
2. Any of species Natrix natrix of non-venomous European snakes.
3. Any aquatic snake, such as: ▸ A northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), a non-venomous American snake.
4. Any aquatic snake, such as: ▸ A crab-eating water snake or white-bellied mangrove snake (Fordonia leucobalia), a venomous snake of south Asia.
5. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see water, adder.

Forms

Deriveds

prairie water adder

Synonyms

watersnake · grass snake · cottonmouth mocassin · watersnake · ringed snake · water snake · water snake · cottonmouth · water snake