garter snake

noun

any of numerous harmless snakes of the genus Thamnophis, common in North and Central America, ranging in size from 14 to 30 inches (36 to 76 cm) and typically having three longitudinal stripes on the back.

Origin of garter snake

An Americanism dating back to 1760–70

Words nearby garter snake

garrya, garryowen, garré's disease, garter, garter belt, garter snake, garter stitch, garth, garvey, garvey, marcus, gary

Example sentences from the Web for garter snake

  • Did you ever see a lot of boys going home from school, when a garter-snake, or any other harmless serpent, crosses their path?

    Phemie Frost's Experiences |Ann S. Stephens

  • He don't never go to school hardly 'thout a garter-snake or two or a lizard or a toad-frog somewheres about him.

    Sonny, A Christmas Guest |Ruth McEnery Stuart

British Dictionary definitions for garter snake

garter snake

noun

any nonvenomous North American colubrid snake of the genus Thamnophis, typically marked with longitudinal stripes