noun
python
PIE-thahn/ˈpaɪθɑːn/
A large snake that kills prey by wrapping around and squeezing it.
A large python squeezes an antelope tightly within its coils.
Etymology
Pythōn named the legendary serpent killed by Apollo near Delphi. Its name broadened to any very large snake before becoming a zoological name for large nonvenomous snakes.
In context
John's Diamond python is from the python family which are nonvenomous and known as constrictors
More examples
- The python swallows its prey whole.
- We watch two pythons resting on a thick branch.
- Unlike a cobra, a python does not use venom.
Forms
python · pythons
Similar words
- constrictor
- Constrictor includes other snakes that kill by squeezing prey.
- snake
- Snake is broader and includes species that use venom.