Definitions for: Rattlesnake


[n] pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken



Webster (1913) Definition: Rat"tle*snake`, n. (Zo["o]l.)
Any one of several species of venomous American snakes
belonging to the genera Crotalus and Caudisona, or
Sistrurus. They have a series of horny interlocking joints
at the end of the tail which make a sharp ratting sound when
shaken. The common rattlesnake of the Northern United States
(Crotalus horridus), and the diamond rattlesnake of the
south (C. adamanteus), are the best known. See Illust. of
Fang.



Ground rattlesnake (Zo["o]l.), a small rattlesnake
(Caudisona, or Sistrurus, miliaria) of the Southern
United States, having a small rattle. It has nine large
scales on its head.

Rattlesnake fern (Bot.), a common American fern
(Botrychium Virginianum) having a triangular decompound
frond and a long-stalked panicle of spore cases rising
from the middle of the frond.

Rattlesnake grass (Bot.), a handsome American grass
(Glyceria Canadensis) with an ample panicle of rather
large ovate spikelets, each one composed of imbricated
parts and slightly resembling the rattle of the
rattlesnake. Sometimes called quaking grass.

Rattlesnake plantain (Bot.), See under Plantain.

Rattlesnake root (Bot.), a name given to certain American
species of the composite genus Prenanthes (P. alba and
P. serpentaria), formerly asserted to cure the bite of
the rattlesnake. Calling also lion's foot, {gall of the
earth}, and white lettuce.

Rattlesnake's master (Bot.)
(a) A species of Agave (Agave Virginica) growing in the
Southern United States.
(b) An umbelliferous plant (Eryngium yucc[ae]folium) with
large bristly-fringed linear leaves.
(c) A composite plant, the blazing star ({Liatris
squarrosa}).

Rattlesnake weed (Bot.), a plant of the composite genus
Hieracium (H. venosum); -- probably so named from its
spotted leaves. See also Snakeroot.

Synonyms: rattler

See Also: banded rattlesnake, Crotalidae, Crotalus adamanteus, Crotalus atrox, Crotalus cerastes, Crotalus horridus horridus, Crotalus lepidus, Crotalus mitchellii, Crotalus scutulatus, Crotalus tigris, Crotalus viridis, diamondback, diamondback rattlesnake, family Crotalidae, ground rattler, horned rattlesnake, massasauga, massasauga rattler, Mojave rattlesnake, pit viper, prairie rattler, prairie rattlesnake, rattle, rock rattlesnake, sidewinder, Sistrurus catenatus, Sistrurus miliaris, speckled rattlesnake, tiger rattlesnake, timber rattlesnake, Western diamondback, Western diamondback rattlesnake, Western rattlesnake

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