serpentaria 
serpentaria (ser-pen-ta'ri-a), . [NL., < L. ser- 
p0ft (aria, snake weed: sec serpentary.'] The offi- 
cinal name of the rhizome and rootlets of Aris- 
tolochin Si'i'iii'iiliirin, the Virginia snakeroot; 
serpeutary-root. It has the properties of a 
stimulant tonic, acting also as a diaphoretic or 
diuretic. See snakeroot. 
Serpentariidae (ser"pen-ta-ri'i-de), it.pl. [NL., 
< Serpenhtriux + -idx.] An African family of 
raptorial birds, named from the genus Serpen- 
tariug; oftener called Gypogeranidte. 
Serpentariinae (ser-pen-ta-ri-l'ne), . pi. [NL., 
< Serpmtarivs + -iiiie.] The Serpentariidee as a 
subfamily of Faleonulse. 
Serpentarius (ser-pen-ta'ri-us), n. [NL., < L. 
* Serpentarius (fern, serpentaria, as a noun: see 
serpentary), < serpen(t-)s, a serpent: see ser- 
pent.'] 1. The constellation Ophiuchus. 2. In 
ornith., the serpent-eaters or secretary-birds: 
Cuvier's name (1797-8) of the genus of Faleo- 
nidse previously called Sagittarius, and subse- 
quently known'as Secretarins, Gypoaeranus, and 
Ophiotheres. See cuts under secretary-bird and 
desmognatho us. 
serpentary (ser'pen-ta-ri), n. [< ME. serpen- 
tarie, V. serpentaire = It. serpentaria, < L. ser- 
pentaria, snakeweed, fern, of " Serpentarius, adj. , 
< serpen(t-)s, a serpent: see serpent.'] 1. The 
Virginia snakeroot, Aristolocliiti Serpentaria. 
2f. A kind of still. 
Do therto a galun of good reed wyne, . . . and thanne 
distille him thorow a serprntarie. 
MS. in Mr. Pettiyrew's possession, 15th cent. (HaUiwell.) 
serpentary-root (ser'pen-ta-ri-ro't), . Same as 
serpentaria. 
Serpent-bearer (ser'pent-bar'er), n. Same as 
Serpentarius, 1, or Ophiuchus. 
serpent-boat (ser'peut-bot), w. Same as pam- 
ban-manche. 
serpent-charmer (ser'pent-char'mer), n. One 
who charms or professes to charm or control 
serpents by any means, especially by the power 
of music; a snake-charmer. The practice is of very 
ancient origin, and is best known in modern times by 1U 
application to the cobra-di-capello in India. This most 
venomous of serpents is allured by the simple monoto- 
nous music of a pipe, and easily captured by the expert 
charmer, who then extracts its fangs and tames the snake 
for exhibition. 
serpent-charming (s6r'pent-char"ming), n. 
The act or practice of fascinating and captur- 
ing serpents, especially by means of music. See 
serpcn t-charmcr. 
serpentcleide (ser'pent-klid), n. [Irreg. < ser- 
pent (L. serpen(t-)s, equiv. to Gr. o^if) + (ophi)- 
cleide.'] A musical instrument invented in Eng- 
land in 1851, which was essentially an ophicleide 
with a wooden tube. It was too large to be 
carried by the player. 
serpent-cucumber (ser'pent-ku"kum-ber), . 
Same as snake-cucumber; also, a long-fruited 
variety of the muskmelon. See cucumber. 
serpent-deity (ser'pent-de''i-ti),n. The deity, 
divinity, or god of the Ophites, otherwise known 
as the god Abraxas. He is commonly represented 
in the form of a man with a hawk's head, legs like twin 
serpents, and holding in one hand a scourge and in the 
other a shield. This figure is one of the commonest and 
most characteristic of the so-called Gnostic gems, and is 
modified from a conventional figure of ilorus or Osiris. 
Also called ophis, serpent-god, snake-deity, etc. See cuts 
under Abraxas. 
serpent-eagle (ser'peut-e'gl), n. A book-name 
of hawks of the genus Spilornis. 
serpent-eater (ser'pent-e"ter), n. 1. One who 
or that which eats serpents ; specifically, a 
large long-legged raptorial bird of Africa, the 
secretary-bird (which see, with cut). 2. A 
kind of wild goat found in India and Cashmere, 
Capra megaceros, the markhor: so called from 
some popular misapprehension. 
serpenteau (ser-pen-to'), [< F. serpenteau, 
a young serpent, a serpent (firework), dim. of 
serpent, a serpent : see serpent.] An iron circle 
having small spikes to which squibs are at- 
tached, employed in the attack or defense of a 
breach. 
Serpentes (ser-pen'tez), n. pi. [NL., pi. of L. 
serpen(t-)s, a serpent: see serpent.'] If. In the 
Linnean system, the second order of the third 
class (Amphibia), containing limbless reptiles 
referred to six genera, Crotalus, Boa, Coluber, 
Anguis, Ampltisbeena, and decilia, the first three 
of which are properly serpents, or Ophidia, the 
fourth and fifth are lizards, or Lacertilia, and 
the sixth is amphibian. See Amphibia, 2 (a). 
2. Same as Ophidia. 
serpent-fish (s6r'pent-fish), n. The bandfish or 
snake-fish, Cepola rubeseens. See cut under 
CepoUdtB. 
5512 
serpent-god (ser'pent-god), n. A serpent-deity ; 
a snake-god. 
serpent-grass (ser'pent-gras), . The alpine 
bistort, Polygonum vwipantm. It is a dwarf herb, 
4 to 8 inches high, with a spike of flesh-colored flowers, or 
in their place little red bulblets which serve for propaga- 
tion. It grows well northward or on mountains in both 
hemispheres. 
Serpentia (ser-pen'shi-a), . pi. [NL., < L. ser- 
/iriititi, serpents, neut.'pl. of serpen(t-)s, creep- 
ing: see serpent.'] An old name, originating 
with Laurenti (1768), of serpents (ophidians), 
or limbless scaled reptiles. Laurenti included some 
limbless lizards in this order Serpentia, which excepted, 
the term is the same as Ophidia. In Merrem's system 
(1820) Serpentia are the same as Ophidia, but included the 
amphisbeenians. See Serpentes. 
serpentiform (ser-pen'ti-form), a. [< L. ser- 
pfn(t-)s, a serpent, + forma, form.] Having 
the form of a serpent ; serpentine ; ophidian in 
structure or affinity; snake-like: said chiefly 
of reptiles which are not serpents, but resemble 
them: as, a serpentiform lizard or amphibian. 
serpentinize 
The great feature [of the match-lock gun) consisted in 
holding the match in a serpentin or cock (or rather, the 
prototype of what afterwards became the cock in a gun- 
lock). W. W. Qreentr, The Gun, p. 45. 
2f. A cannon in use in the sixteenth century. 
The serpentine proper is described as having a bore of 1J 
, 
v 
Serpentiform Luard (diirnlri canaltculatufi. 
The one here figured is an amphisbtenian, with & small 
pair of limbs like ears Just behind the head. (See CM- 
rotet.) Other examples are figured under amphisbiena, 
blind-worm, glass-snake, Pseudopus, and scheltopugik. 
serpentigenous (ser-pen-tij'e-nus), a. [< L. 
scrpentigena, serpent-born, < serpen(t-)s, a ser- 
pent, + -genus, produced (see -genous)."] Bred 
of a serpent. [Rare.] Imp. lUct. 
serpentine (ser'pen-tin or -tin), a. and n. [I. a. 
< ME. serpentyne, '< OF. serpentin, F. serpentin 
= Sp. Pg. It. serpentino, of a serpent, < LL. ser- 
pentines, of a serpent, < L. serpen(t-)s, a ser- 
pent : see serpent. II. . < ME. serpentin, a can- 
non, < OF. serpentin, m., the cock of a harque- 
bus, part of an alembic, serpentine, f., a kind of 
alembic, a kind of cannon, F. serpentine, ser- 
pentine (stone), grass-plantain, = It. serpentina, 
f., a kind of alembic ; ML. serpentina, f., a kind 
of cannon, serpentine (stone) ; from the adj.] 
I. a. Of orpertainingtoorresemblingaserpent. 
The bytter galle pleynly to enchace 
Of the venym callid serpentyne. 
Lydgate, MS. Ashmole 39, f. 6. (UalliweU.) 
Especially (a) Having or resembling the qualities or 
instincts ascribed to serpents ; subtle ; cunning ; treach- 
erous or dangerous. 
I craved of him to lead me to the top of this rock, with 
meaning to free him from so serpentine a companion as I 
am. Sir P. Sidney. 
It Is not possible to join serpentine wisdom with the 
columbine innocency. 
Bacon, Advancement of Learning, ii. 282. 
Being themselves without hope, they would drive all 
others to despair, employing all their force and serpentine 
craft. Evelyn, True Keligion, I. 142. 
(6) Moving like a serpent ; winding about ; writhing ; 
wriggling ; meandering ; coiling ; crooked ; bent ; tortu- 
ous ; sinuous ; zigzag ; anfractuous ; specifically, in the 
mint' ye, lolling out and moving over the bit, as a horse's 
tongue. 
The not inquiring into the ways of God and the strict 
rules of practice has been instrumental to the preserving 
them free from the serpentine enfoldings and labyrinths of 
dispute. Jer. Taylor, Great Exemplar, Ded., p. 3. 
Till the travellers arrived at Vivian Hall, their conver- 
sation turned upon trees, and avenues and serpentine ap- 
proaches. Miss Edge-worth, Vivian, L 
(c) Beginning and ending with the same word, as a line of 
poetry, as if returning upon itself. See serpentine verse. 
Serpentine nervure, in e ntom., a vein or nervure of 
the wing that forms two or more distinct curves, as in 
the membranous wings of certain beetles. Serpentine 
verse, a verse which begins and ends with the same word. 
The following are examples : 
Crescit amor minimi, quantum ipsa pecunia crescit. 
[Greater grows the love of pelf, as pelf itself grows greater. ] 
Juvenal, Satires (trans.), xiv. 139. 
Ambo ftorentes eetatibus, Arcades ambo. 
[Both in the bloom of life, Arcadians both.) 
Virgil, Eclogues (tr. by Conington), vii. 4. 
Serpentine ware, a variety of pebbleware. The name 
is generally given to that variety which is speckled gray 
and green. 
II. w. If. In French usage, part of the lock of 
an early form of harquebus ; a match-holder, 
resembling a pair of nippers, which could be 
brought down upon the powder in the pan. 
Serpentine. (From an etching by Albert Durer.) 
inches, and the cannon serpentine as having a bore of 7 
inches and a shot of 53} pounds. Compare argan-yvan. 
Item, iij. gounes, called serpentins. 
Paston Letters, Inventory, I. 487. 
The Serpentin, a long light cannon of small bore, and 
semi-portable, with the mouth formed to resemble the 
head of a serpent, griffin, or some fabulous monster. 
W. W. Greener, The Gun, p. 31. 
3f. A kind of still ; a serpentary. 
Serpentina (It.], . . . a kind of winding limbecke or still 
called a serpentine or double SS in English. Florin. 
4. A hydrous silicate of magnesium, occurring 
massive, sometimes fine, granular, and com- 
pact, again finely fibrous, less often slaty, it It 
usually green in color, but of many different shades, also 
red, brown, or gray, sometimes with spots resembling a 
serpent's skin. There are numerous varieties, differing in 
structure and color. The most important of these are 
precious or noble serpentine, under which term are com- 
prised the more or less translucent serpentines, having a 
rich oil-green color; foliated varieties, including marmo- 
lite and antigorite ; fibrous varieties, as chryaotile (some- 
times called serpentine asbestos) and metaxite. Other 
minerals more or less closely allied to or identical with 
serpentine are picrolite, williamsite, bowenite, retina- 
lite, baltimorite, vorhauserite, hydrophite, jenkinsite, 
villarsite, etc. Serpentine occurs widely distributed and 
in abundance, forming rock-masses, many of which were 
formerly regarded as being of eruptive origin, but which 
are now generally conceded to have been formed by the 
metamorphlsm of various rocks and minerals ; indeed, it 
has not been proved that serpentine has ever been formed 
in any other way than this. The peridot ites appear to 
have been peculiarly liable to this Kind of alteration, or 
serpentinization, as it is called. Massive serpentine has 
been extensively used for both interior and exterior archi- 
tectural and decorative purposes, but in only a few locali- 
ties is a material quarried which stands outdoor exposure 
without soon losing its polish, and eventually becoming 
disintegrated. The serpentinous rock commonly called 
verd-antique, and known to lithologists as ophicalcite, is a 
very beautiful decorative material, and has been extensive- 
ly employed for ornament in various parts of the world. 
See verd-antique. 
The Stones are ioyn'd so artificially 
That, if the Mason had not checkered fine 
Syre's Alabaster with hard Serpentine, . . . 
The whole a whole Quar one might rightly tearm. 
Sylvester, tr. of Du Bartas's Weeks, ii., The Magnificence. 
serpentine (ser'pen-tin or -tin), v. i. ; pret. and 
pp. serpentined, ppr. serpentining. [< serpentine, 
n.] To wind like a serpent; move sinuously 
like a snake; meander; wriggle. 
In those fair vales by Nature form'd to please, 
Where Guadalquiver serpentines with ease. 
W. Harte, Vision of Death. 
The women and men join hands until they form a long 
line, which then serpentines about to a slow movement 
which seems to have great fascination. 
J. Baker, Turkey, p. 90. 
serpentinely (ser'peu-tin-li or -tin-li), adv. In 
a serpentine manner ; serpentiningly. 
Serpentinian (ser-pen-tin'i-an), . [< LL. ser- 
pentinus, pertainingto a serpent: see serpent.] 
One of an ancient Gnostic sect: same as O]>hite 2 . 
serpentinic (ser-pen-tin'ik), a. [< serpentine 
+ -ic.] Same as serpentinous. 
Have studied . . . the "blue ground," and have shown 
that it IB a serpentinic substance. Oeol. Mag., IV. 22. 
serpentiningly (ser-pen-tl'ning-li), adv. With 
a serpentine motion or appearance. [Bare.] 
What if my words wind in and out the stone 
As yonder ivy, the god's parasite? 
Though they leap all the way the pillar leads, 
Festoon about the marble, foot to frieze, 
And serpentiningly enrich the roof. 
Browning, Balaustion's Adventure. 
serpentinization (ser-pen-tin-i-za'shon), n. [< 
serpentinize + -ation.] Conversion into ser- 
pentine, an extremely common result in the 
course of the metamorphic changes which rock- 
forming minerals have undergone. It is espe- 
cially the rocks made up wholly or in part of olivin which 
have become converted into serpentine. See peridotite. 
The mineral [olivin] is quite colorless, . . . and is trav- 
ersed by irregular cracks, along which serpentinization 
may frequently be seen to have commenced. 
Amer. Jour. Sci., 3d ser., CXXXI. 34. 
serpentinize (ser'pen-tin-iz), r. t. ; pret. and 
pp. serpentinized, ppr. serpeiitiiiiziiig. [< serpen- 
tine + -fee.] To convert into serpentine. 
