serpentine

adj

Etymology: From Middle English serpentine, from Old French serpentin, from Latin serpentīnus, from serpēns (“serpent”), equivalent to serpent + -ine.

1. Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of snakes.
2. Of, or having attributes associated with, the serpent referred to in the book of Genesis in the Bible, such as craftiness or deceitfulness.

   “The wily criminal was known for his serpentine behavior.”

3. Having the form or shape of a snake.

   “There are serpentine species of lizards which do not have legs.”

4. Curving in alternate directions; sinuous.

   “The serpentine path through the mountains was narrow and dangerous.”

   “So! keep looking so— / My serpentining beauty, rounds on rounds!”

5. Pertaining to the serpentine subgroup of minerals.

   “serpentine soils”

name

1. A river in Alaska.
2. A river in Australia.
3. A river in Canada.
4. A minor river in Tasman district and the city of Nelson, New Zealand.
5. A town in the Shire of Serpentine-Jarrahdale, Western Australia.

noun

Etymology: From Middle English serpentine, from Old French serpentin, from Latin serpentīnus, from serpēns (“serpent”), equivalent to serpent + -ine.

1. Any of several plants believed to cure snakebites.
2. An early form of cannon, used in the 16th century.
3. A kind of firework.
4. A coiled distillation tube.
5. Any of several related cubic curves; anguinea
6. In dressage, a winding walk across on the arena.
7. Any of several green/brown minerals consisting of magnesium and iron silicates that have similar layered crystal structure, whose appearance somewhat resembles a snake's skin.

   “It is reached by five-and-twenty steps of porphyry and serpentine.”

8. An outcrop or region with soil and rock dominated by these minerals.

verb

Etymology: From Middle English serpentine, from Old French serpentin, from Latin serpentīnus, from serpēns (“serpent”), equivalent to serpent + -ine.

1. To serpentize; to turn or bend; to meander.

   “1813, George Nicholson, The Cambrian Traveller's Guidey There were two little lakes, or rather large pools which stood in the bottom, whence issued a rivulet which serpentined in view for two or three miles, offering a pleasing relief to the eye.”

   “The mountains were fully in their gorgeous autumn garb the next morning, as the train serpentined up and up toward the divide.”