[Elamur Dictionary](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/serpent/) [dictionaries](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [English](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/) / [S](https://md.dictionary.elamur.ai/free/en/english/s/) / serpent # serpent noun (a serpent, serpents) «serpent» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition and Early Modern English — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova. ## Everyday 1. (literary, old) A snake, especially a big one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#m1) 2. In myths and stories, a huge snake-like monster such as a sea serpent. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#m2) 3. (old, figurative) A sly, tricky person who cannot be trusted. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#m3) ### In the lessons In stories, myths and the Bible, serpents are often clever or dangerous; dragons and sea serpents appear in legends. In science lessons we say «snake». In maths stories, a serpent's length may be measured or compared. Phrases: «sea serpent», «a serpent's tongue». ### Examples - The knight fought a giant serpent. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#x1) - Sailors told tales of sea serpents. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#x2) - The serpent hissed and slid under a rock. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#x3) - In the story, a cunning serpent tricks the hero. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#x4) - The serpent was 9 metres long, three times as long as the boat. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#x5) - The river curved like a serpent through the valley. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#x6) - But look! the serpent himself is coming!" [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/#x7) ### Note Countable: serpents. Literary; everyday word: snake. Adjective: serpentine (winding like a snake). Sea serpents are legends, not real animals. ## In Jewish tradition In the Prophets and Writings the serpent is a biting, poisonous snake. Its bite is a picture for the sting of wine, and sharp tongues and lying speech are said to be "like a serpent." Job also names a "slant serpent" pierced by God's hand, a sea creature that shows His power over creation. **Interpretation.** Tradition often takes the serpent as a sign of the urge to do wrong, and the rabbis say it was punished for its speech, which led Adam and Eve to eat the forbidden fruit. Later readers took the serpent images in Psalms and Proverbs as warnings about evil speech and drunkenness. ### Examples - And the serpent said unto the woman: 'Ye shall not surely die; (Torah GEN.3.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/serpent/#x1) - Their wine is the venom of serpents, and the cruel poison of asps. (Torah DEU.32.33, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/serpent/#x2) - Now the serpent was more subtle than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. (Torah GEN.3.1, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/serpent/#x3) - At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like a basilisk. (Writings PRO.23.32, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/serpent/#x4) - By His breath the heavens are serene; His hand hath pierced the slant serpent. (Writings JOB.26.13, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/serpent/#x5) - They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; vipers' venom is under their lips. (Writings PSA.140.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/serpent/#x6) ### Note Countable: serpents. Literary; everyday word: snake. Adjective: serpentine (winding like a snake). Sea serpents are legends, not real animals. ## Early Modern English ### Meaning A snake, especially a large one. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/serpent/#m1) ### Then and now Today serpent is literary or old-fashioned; everyday speech says snake. The sentences use the same sense as the dictionary. ### Examples - And the serpent said unto the woman: 'Ye shall not surely die; (Torah GEN.3.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/serpent/#x1) - THE SERPENT-TSAREVICH AND HIS TWO WIVES (Cossack Fairy Tales and Folk Tales) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/serpent/#x2) - Their wine is the venom of serpents, and the cruel poison of asps. (Torah DEU.32.33, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/serpent/#x3) ### Note Today: snake. ## On Mova - [Trees and pragmatics of «serpent» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/S/serpent/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«serpent» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/serpent.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «serpent» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/S/serpent/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«serpent» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/serpent.html) on Mova free. - [Trees and pragmatics of «serpent» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/emode/S/serpent/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames. - [«serpent» in the Early Modern English dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/emode/w/serpent.html) on Mova free.