Emily Dickinson Lexicon

SER-PENT-A'RI-A, n.

The trivial or specific name of numerous plants that have been reputed to be remedial of snake-bites; as Aristolochia Serpentaria, Prenanthes Serpentaria, &c.

SER-PENT-A'RI-US, n.

A constellation in the northern hemisphere, containing seventy-four stars.

SER'PENT-CU'CUM-BER, n.

A plant of the genus Trichosanthes.

SER'PENT-EAT-ER, n.

A fowl of Africa that devours serpents.

SER'PENT-FISH, n.

A fish resembling a snake, but of a red color. – Dict. Nat. Hist. [Qu. Cepola tænia or rubescens, Linn., the band-fish, Fr. ruban.]

SER-PENT'I-FORM, a.

Having the form of a serpent. – Kirby.

SER-PEN-TIG'E-NOUS, a.

Bred of a serpent.

SER'PEN-TINE, a. [L. serpentinus, from serpens.]

1. Resembling a serpent; usually, winding or turning one way and the other, like a moving serpent; anfractuous; as, a serpentine road or course.
2. Spiral; twisted; as, a serpentine worm of a still.
3. Like a serpent; having the color or properties of a serpent. Serpentine tongue, in the manege. A horse is said to have a serpentine tongue, when he is constantly moving it, and sometimes passing it over the bit. – Encyc. Serpentine verse, a verse which begins and ends with the same word.

SER'PEN-TINE, or SER'PEN-TINE-STONE, n.

A species of talek or magnesian stone, usually of an obscure green color, with shades and spots resembling a serpent's skin. – Dict. Nat. Hist. A rock generally unstratified, which is principally composed of hydrated silicate of magnesia. Serpentine is often nearly allied to the harder varieties of steatite and potstone. It presents two varieties, precious serpentine, and common serpentine. – Cleaveland.

SER'PEN-TINE-LY, adv.

In a serpentine manner.

SER'PENT-IZE, v.t.

To wind; to turn or bend, first in one direction and then in the opposite; to meander. The road serpentized through a tall shrubbery. – Barrow, Trav. in Africa.

SER'PENT-LIKE, a.

Like a serpent.

SER'PENT-RY, n.

A winding like that of a serpent.

SER'PENT'S-TONGUE, n.

A plant of the genus Ophioglossum.

SER'PET, n.

A basket. [Not in use.] – Ainsworth.

SER'PIG'IN-OUS, a. [from L. serpigo, from serpo, to creep.]

Affected with serpigo.

SER-PI'GO, n. [L. from serpo, to creep.]

An exploded name of Herpes circinatus or ringworm.

SER-PU'LID-AN, n.

An animal with a winding shell; worm shell. – Kirby.

SER-PU'LI-DANS, n. [plur.]

Animals of the order of Annelides, forming calcarious tubes which twine round and cover stones, shells, &c.

SER-PU'LITE, n.

Petrified shells or fossil remains of the genus Serputa. – Jameson.

SERR, v.t. [Fr. serrer; Sp. and Port. cerrar.]

To crowd, press or drive together. [Not in use.] – Bacon.

SER'RATE, or SER'RA-TED, a. [L. serratus, from serro, to saw; serra, a saw.]

Notched on the edge like a saw. In botany having sharp notches about the edge, pointing toward the extremity; as, a serrate leaf. When a serrate leaf has small serratures upon the large ones, it is said to be doubly serrate, as in the elm. We say also, a serrate calyx, corol or stipule. A serrate-ciliate leaf, is one having fine hairs, like the eye-lashes, on the serratures. A serrate-dentate leaf, has the serratures toothed. A serrulate leaf, is one finely serrate, with very small notches. – Martyn.

SER-RA'TION, n.

Formation in the shape of a saw.

SER'RA-TURE, n.

A notching in the edge of any thing, like a saw. – Martyn.

SER'ROUS, a.

Like the teeth of a saw; irregular. [Little used.] – Brown.