Cottonmouth

3 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  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]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  cottonmouth
       n : venomous semiaquatic snake of swamps in southern United
           States [syn: {water moccasin}, {cottonmouth moccasin}, {Agkistrodon
           piscivorus}]