noun
cottonmouth
KAHT-un-mouth/ˈkɑːtnmaʊθ/
A venomous semiaquatic pit viper of the southeastern United States.
A cottonmouth rests beside the wetland with its pale mouth open.
Etymology
Cotton supplies the image of whiteness: the snake was named for the white streak along its mouth. The compound turns that visible feature into the animal’s name.
In context
my god so cottonmouths think they're the the only venomous water snake um i'm not sure though there's only like 21 i think it's 21 venomous snakes in north america cottonmouth's one of them we have them in arkansas here
More examples
- The cottonmouth swims across the quiet creek.
- Cottonmouths eat fish, frogs, and other small animals.
- We keep our distance from the cottonmouth near the trail.
Forms
cottonmouth · cottonmouths
Similar words
- water moccasin
- Another common name for the same venomous snake.