Snake"fish` (?), n. (Zoöl.) (a) The band fish. (b) The lizard fish.
Snake"head` (?), n. 1. A loose, bent-up end of one of the strap rails,
or flat rails, formerly used on American railroads. It was sometimes so
bent by the passage of a train as to slip over a wheel and pierce the
bottom of a car.
2. (Bot.) (a) The turtlehead. (b) The Guinea-hen flower. See
Snake's-head, and under Guinea.
Snake"neck` (?), n. (Zoöl.) The snakebird, 1.
Snake"root` (?), n. (Bot.) Any one of several plants of different
genera and species, most of which are (or were formerly) reputed to be
efficacious as remedies for the bites of serpents; also, the roots of
any of these.
The Virginia snakeroot is Aristolochia Serpentaria; black snakeroot is
Sanicula, esp. S. Marilandica, also Cimicifuga racemosa; Seneca
snakeroot is Polygala Senega; button snakeroot is Liatris, also
Eryngium; white snakeroot is Eupatorium ageratoides. The name is also
applied to some others besides these.
Snake's"-head` (?), n. (Bot.) The Guinea-hen flower; -- so called in
England because its spotted petals resemble the scales of a snake's
head. Dr. Prior.
Snake's-head iris (Bot.), an iridaceous plant (Hermodactylus tuberosus)
of the Mediterranean region. The flowers slightly resemble a serpent's
open mouth.
Snake"stone` (?), n. 1. A kind of hone slate or whetstone obtained in
Scotland.
2. (Paleon.) An ammonite; -- so called from its form, which resembles
that of a coiled snake.
Snake's-tongue` (?), n. (Bot.) Same as Adder's-tongue.
Snake"weed` (?), n. (Bot.) (a) A kind of knotweed (Polygonum Bistorta).
(b) The Virginia snakeroot. See Snakeroot.
Snake"wood` (?), n. (Bot.) (a) An East Indian climbing plant (Strychnos
colubrina) having a bitter taste, and supposed to be a remedy for the
bite of the hooded serpent. (b) An East Indian climbing shrub
(Ophioxylon serpentinum) which has the roots and stems twisted so as to
resemble serpents. (c) Same as Trumpetwood. (d) A tropical American
shrub (Plumieria rubra) which has very fragrant red blossoms. (e) Same
as Letterwood.
Snak"ish (?), a. Having the qualities or characteristics of a snake;
snaky.
Snak"y (?), a. 1. Of or pertaining to a snake or snakes; resembling a
snake; serpentine; winding.
The red light playing upon its gilt and carving gave it an
appearance of snaky life.