[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/boa/)

[dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [B](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/b/) / boa

# boa

noun (a boa, boas)

«boa» in the English dictionary: everyday — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A large snake that kills its prey by wrapping round it and squeezing, as the boa constrictor of Central and South America does. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/#m1)
2. A long, fluffy scarf made of feathers or fur, worn round the neck for dressing up: a feather boa. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons boas are an example of constrictors, which squeeze rather than use venom; they give birth to live young. In everyday life feather boas appear in dressing-up boxes, parties and shows. Phrases: boa constrictor, feather boa.

### Examples

- A boa constrictor squeezes its prey. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/#x1)
- Boas are not venomous. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/#x2)
- The zoo keeper let us touch a boa. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/#x3)
- She wore a pink feather boa to the party. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/#x4)
- Boas give birth to live baby snakes. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/#x5)
- The boa wrapped itself around a branch. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/#x6)

### Note

Countable: a boa, boas. Pronounced BOH-a. Not the same as a python (which lays eggs) or an anaconda (a kind of boa). Myth: boas do not crush bones to kill; they squeeze so blood cannot flow.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «boa» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/B/boa/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«boa» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/boa.html) on Mova free.