cottonmouth water moccasin

2 definitions found

cottonmouth water moccasin - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  moccasin \moc"ca*sin\, n. [An Indian word. Algonquin makisin.]
     [Sometimes written moccason.]
     1. A shoe made of deerskin, or other soft leather, the sole
        and upper part being one piece. It is the customary shoe
        worn by the American Indians.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. (Zool.) A poisonous snake of the Southern United States.
        The water moccasin (Ancistrodon piscivorus syn.
        Agkistrodon piscivorus, also called cottonmouth and
        cottonmouth water moccasin) is usually found in or near
        water. Above, it is olive brown, barred with black;
        beneath, it is brownish yellow, mottled with darker. The
        upland moccasin is Ancistrodon atrofuscus. They resemble
        rattlesnakes, but are without rattles.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Moccasin flower (Bot.), a species of lady's slipper
        (Cypripedium acaule) found in North America. The lower
        petal is two inches long, and forms a rose-colored
        moccasin-shaped pouch. It grows in rich woods under
        coniferous trees.
        [1913 Webster]

  cottonmouth \cottonmouth\ n.
     venomous semiaquatic snake (Agkistrodon piscivorus) of
     swamps in southern U.S.; -- called also water moccasin,
     cottonmouth moccasin, and cottonmouth water moccasin. It
     grows to a length of about 4 feet. The name refers to the
     whiteness of the lips and inside of the mouth.
  
     Syn: water moccasin, cottonmouth moccasin, Agkistrodon   piscivorus
          .
          [WordNet 1.5 +PJC]