serpentine

1
[ sur-puhn-teen, -tahyn ]
/ ˈsɜr pənˌtin, -ˌtaɪn /

adjective

of, characteristic of, or resembling a serpent, as in form or movement.
having a winding course, as a road; sinuous.
shrewd, wily, or cunning.

noun

verb (used without object), ser·pen·tined, ser·pen·tin·ing.

to make or follow a winding course: The stream serpentines through the valley.

Origin of serpentine

1
1350–1400; Middle English (adj.) < Latin serpentīnus snakelike, equivalent to serpent- serpent + -īnus ine1

SYNONYMS FOR serpentine

2 twisting, snaking, tortuous.

Definition for serpentine (2 of 2)

serpentine 2
[ sur-puh n-teen, -tahyn ]
/ ˈsɜr pənˌtin, -ˌtaɪn /

noun

a common mineral, hydrous magnesium silicate, H2Mg3Si2O2, usually oily green and sometimes spotted, occurring in many varieties: used for architectural and decorative purposes.

Origin of serpentine

2
1350–1400; Middle English serpentyn < Medieval Latin serpentīnum, noun use. of neuter of serpentīnus serpentine1

Example sentences from the Web for serpentine

British Dictionary definitions for serpentine (1 of 2)

serpentine 1
/ (ˈsɜːpənˌtaɪn) /

adjective

of, relating to, or resembling a serpent
twisting; winding

noun

maths a curve that is symmetric about the origin of and asymptotic to the x -axis

Word Origin for serpentine

C14: from Late Latin serpentīnus, from serpēns serpent

British Dictionary definitions for serpentine (2 of 2)

serpentine 2
/ (ˈsɜːpənˌtaɪn) /

noun

a dark green or brown mineral with a greasy or silky lustre, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is used as an ornamental stone; and one variety (chrysotile) is known as asbestos. Composition: hydrated magnesium silicate. Formula: Mg 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4 . Crystal structure: monoclinic
any of a group of minerals having the general formula (Mg,Fe) 3 Si 2 O 5 (OH) 4

Word Origin for serpentine

C15 serpentyn, from Medieval Latin serpentīnum serpentine 1; referring to the snakelike patterns of these minerals

Scientific definitions for serpentine

serpentine
[ sûrpən-tēn′, -tīn′ ]

Any of a group of greenish, brownish, or yellowish monoclinic minerals, occurring in igneous or metamorphic rocks. They are used as a source of magnesium and asbestos. Chemical formula: (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4.