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DictionarycopperheadVenomous snake
noun

copperhead

KAH-per-hed/ˈkɑːpərhed/

A venomous North American snake with a copper-colored head.

A copperhead lies coiled on leaf litter, its dark bands visible.

Accurate copperhead snake coiled on leaf litter, copper head and dark hourglass bands narrow along spine.
Etymology
copperEnglishreddish-brown metal
+headEnglishhead

Copper supplies the color, and head identifies its location: the snake was named for the copper-colored markings between its eyes.

In context

Bob Ferguson's Fascinature3:03
look at the northern water snake and the milk snake you can easily see the difference in pupil between a copperhead and non-venomous snakes as well as a lack of a pit on the face
Ten Facts About a Misunderstood Snake, The Northern Copperhead: Fascinature's Field Guide Series

More examples

  • We spot a copperhead beside the trail and keep our distance.
  • The fallen leaves make copperheads hard to see.
  • A copperhead bite requires immediate medical attention.

Forms

copperhead · copperheads

Similar words

snake
A broader term covering both venomous and nonvenomous species.
viper
A broader group of venomous snakes with long, hinged fangs.