Serpent

Pronunciation

• GenAm IPA: /ˈsɝpÉ™nt/
• RP IPA: /ˈsɜːpÉ™nt/
• Hyphenation: ser + pent

Origin

From Latin Latin serpens ("snake"), from the verb serpo ("to creep"), from Proto-Indo-European *serp-.

Full definition of serpent

Noun

1. A snake.
2. (musical instruments) An obsolete wind instrument in the brass family, whose shape is suggestive of a snake (Serpent (instrument)).
3. (figurative) A subtle, treacherous, malicious person.
4. A kind of firework with a serpentine motion.

Related terms

• serpentine

Verb

1. (obsolete) To wind; to encircle.

Anagrams

• present
• repents
• respent