copperhead

[ kop-er-hed ]
/ ˈkɒp ərˌhɛd /

noun

a venomous snake, Agkistrodon (Ancistrodon) contortrix, of the eastern and southern U.S., having a light-brown to copper-red body marked with darker bands.
an extremely venomous but sluggish snake, Denisonia superba, of Australia and Tasmania, having a reddish to black body, depending on the region.
(initial capital letter) U.S. History. a Northern Democrat who opposed the Civil War, advocating peace and restoration of the Union even if slavery continued.
(initial capital letter) Military. a finned, 155mm cannon-launched U.S. Army artillery shell that homes on the target, using the reflection of a laser beam projected by a forward observer.

Origin of copperhead

An Americanism dating back to 1765–75; copper1 + head

Example sentences from the Web for copperhead

British Dictionary definitions for copperhead

copperhead
/ (ˈkɒpəˌhɛd) /

noun

a venomous reddish-brown snake, Agkistrodon contortrix, of the eastern US: family Crotalidae (pit vipers)
a venomous reddish-brown Australian elapid snake, Denisonia superba
US informal a Yankee supporter of the South during the Civil War