serpiente

Spanish

Etymology

    From Latin serpentem. Doublet of sierpe. Cognate with English serpent.

    Pronunciation

    • IPA(key): /seɾˈpjente/ [seɾˈpjẽn̪.t̪e]
    • Audio:(file)
    • Rhymes: -ente
    • Syllabification: ser‧pien‧te

    Noun

    serpiente f (plural serpientes)

    1. snake, serpent (legless reptile of the sub-order Serpentes)
      Synonyms: culebra, (archaic) sierpe
    2. (specifically) a large or medium-sized snake
    3. (figuratively) snake
      Synonym: traidor

    Usage notes

    • In the sense of "traitor," serpiente can be masculine.

    Derived terms

    See also

    Further reading