noun
sidewinder
SYD-wyn-d
noun
1
A small venomous rattlesnake native to the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico, known for its distinctive sideways slithering movement.
"A sidewinder left a curious S-shaped trail across the dune."
2
A heavy blow delivered from the side.
"The boxer caught his opponent with a sidewinder to the jaw."
How to Use Sidewinder
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA desert rattlesnake that moves sideways across sand, or by extension a heavy sideways punch.
Common pairings
a sidewinder rattlesnake
Word Forms
sidewindered past tense, sidewinders plural, Sidewinders plural, sidewinders singular
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A _____ left a curious S-shaped trail across the dune.
Etymology
From "side" plus "winder" (one that winds or moves in loops), describing the snake's sideways, looping way of crossing sand.