serpentine

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English serpentine, from Old French serpentin, from Latin serpentīnus, from serpēns (“serpent”), equivalent to serpent +‎ -ine. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈsɜː.pənˌtaɪn/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈsɝ.pənˌtaɪn/, /ˈsɝ.pənˌtin/ Rhymes: -ɜː(ɹ)pəntaɪn Rhymes: -aɪn Hyphenation: ser‧pen‧tine === Adjective === serpentine (comparative more serpentine, superlative most serpentine) Of, pertaining to, or characteristic of snakes. Of, or having attributes associated with, the serpent referred to in the book of Genesis in the Bible, such as craftiness or deceitfulness. Having the form or shape of a snake. Synonym: ophidian Curving in alternate directions; sinuous. Synonyms: sinuous, tortuous, winding Pertaining to the serpentine subgroup of minerals. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Noun === serpentine (plural serpentines) Any of several plants believed to cure snakebites. (historical) An early form of cannon, used in the 16th century. A kind of firework. A coiled distillation tube. (mathematics) Any of several related cubic curves; anguinea (equestrianism) In dressage, a winding walk across on the arena. (mineralogy) Any of several green/brown minerals consisting of magnesium and iron silicates that have similar layered crystal structure, whose appearance somewhat resembles a snake's skin. (geology) An outcrop or region with soil and rock dominated by these minerals. ==== Hyponyms ==== (mineral): antigorite, chrysotile, lizardite ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === Verb === serpentine (third-person singular simple present serpentines, present participle serpentining, simple past and past participle serpentined) To serpentize; to turn or bend; to meander. 1813, George Nicholson, The Cambrian Traveller's Guidey There were two little lakes, or rather large pools which stood in the bottom, whence issued a rivulet which serpentined in view for two or three miles, offering a pleasing relief to the eye. ==== Derived terms ==== === Further reading === David Barthelmy (1997–2026), “Serpentine”, in Webmineral Mineralogy Database. “serpentine”, in Mindat.org, Keswick, Va.: Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, 2000–2026. === Anagrams === terpinenes == French == === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /sɛʁ.pɑ̃.tin/ === Adjective === serpentine feminine singular of serpentin == Italian == === Adjective === serpentine f pl feminine plural of serpentino === Noun === serpentine f pl plural of serpentina == Latin == === Adjective === serpentīne vocative masculine singular of serpentīnus