blacksnake

or black snake

[ blak-sneyk ]

noun

1. Also called black racer. a blackish racer, Coluber constrictor subspecies, of the eastern U.S., that grows to a length of 6 feet (1.8 meters).
2. any of various other snakes of a black or very dark color.
3. a heavy, tapering, flexible whip of braided cowhide or the like.

blacksnake

/ ˈblækˌsneɪk /

noun

1. any of several Old World black venomous elapid snakes, esp Pseudechis porphyriacus ( Australian blacksnake )
2. any of various dark nonvenomous snakes, such as Coluber constrictor (black racer)
3. a long heavy pliant whip of braided leather or rawhide

Word History and Origins

Origin of blacksnake¹

An Americanism dating back to 1625–35; black + snake

Example Sentences

A student found an unlikely surprise in her elementary school desk this week: a three-foot blacksnake.

From Washington Post

He has been known to come face to face with blacksnakes and hornets.

From Washington Post

His slim frame writhing like a blacksnake, Sforzini activated a third hoop and a fourth, each moving in a different direction, spinning, beating on.

From Washington Times

The fact that it was only a large blacksnake and non-poisonous made 114 no difference at that moment to the dog or to the little girl—nor to Joseph Stagg when he saw it.

From Project Gutenberg

The brute swung the blacksnake—this time in earnest.

From Project Gutenberg