ENGLISH
REFERENCE

serpent

n. countable
C1 Advanced US //ˈsɝpənt// UK //sˈɜːpənt// ser·pent Archaic Literary

n. a large snake, especially one that appears in old stories or religious books. People often use this word when they want to sound more serious or poetic than just saying 'snake'.

n. a large snake, particularly one appearing in mythological, biblical, or literary contexts. Often carries a symbolic connotation of evil, temptation, or wisdom depending on the cultural tradition.


SIMPLE

The ancient story tells of a giant serpent living in the deep sea.

CONTEXTUAL

In many ancient myths, the serpent represents a powerful guardian of hidden treasures or forbidden knowledge.

COMPLEX

The poet uses the image of a shimmering serpent to symbolize the deceptive beauty of the dangerous jungle path.

Synonyms
Usage

Often used in literary or religious contexts rather than scientific ones. Frequently paired with adjectives like 'ancient', 'coiling', or 'venomous'.

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