noun
rattlesnake
RAT-uhl-snayk
noun
1
A venomous American snake that shakes a rattle-like structure on its tail as a warning.
"The hikers backed away slowly when they heard a rattlesnake nearby."
How to Use Rattlesnake
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA venomous snake known for the buzzing rattle on the end of its tail.
Common pairings
rattlesnake bite
rattlesnake venom
Word Forms
rattlesnakes plural
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Etymology
A compound of rattle and snake, describing the rattling warning sound its tail makes.