water adder
nounEtymology From Middle English water addre, watyradyr, watir edyr, alteration (see adder) of water neddyr, watyrnedyre, from Old English wæternædre, wæternǣdre, equivalent to water + adder. Cognate with Dutch wateradder (“wateradder”), German Wassernatter (“watersnake”).
1
A water mocassin (Agkistrodon piscivorus), a venomous aquatic snake of North America.
2
Any of species Natrix natrix of non-venomous European sbakes.
› Any aquatic snake, such as:
3
A northern water snake (Nerodia sipedon), a non-venomous American snake.
4
A crab-eating water snake or white-bellied mangrove snake (Fordonia leucobalia), a venomous snake of south Asia.
5
Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see water, adder.
- Derived terms
- prairie water adder