Monday Word: Ophidian

[stonepicnicking_okapi]

ophidian [oh-fid-ee-uhn ]

adjective:
1. belonging or pertaining to the suborder Ophidia (Serpentes), comprising the snakes.

examples:
It is her treatment by others — mostly lustful and vengeful gods — that brings about her ophidian transformation, and even still she tries to protect the world she loves from the harm of her destructive gaze. Washington Post Feb 1, 2023

The jeweler’s earliest snake-inspired pieces tended toward abstraction, referencing ophidian sinuousness by way of a corrugated gold bracelet — based on the articulated flex of gas piping — that slithered up the wrist. New York Times Mar 4, 2022

An obnoxious ophidian invaded a soccer pitch in Guatemala, delaying a game between Nueva Concepcion and Municipal. Seattle Times Feb 25, 2022

origin:
First recorded in 1820–30; from New Latin Ophidi(a) (neuter plural) name of the suborder (from Greek ophídion (neuter singular), equivalent to óph(is) “serpent” + -idion diminutive suffix) + -an

This week is the Lunar New Year, welcoming in the Year of the Snake!

Comments

[zenigotchas]

Off topic but some snakes really are cute

[full_metal_ox]

Folklore Fun Fact: people born in the Year of the Snake are supposed to be the greatest beauties.

[prettygoodword]

We're very aware of this lunar new year: the Eaglet was born in the previous year of the snake, plus they're in a lion dance troupe and this is peak performance season.

Oh, um, and the word itself. Uh, the Eaglet has an ophidian pet (ball python). There.

[med_cat]

Very apt :)