python

¹

[ pahy-thon, -thuhn ]

noun

1. any of several Old World boa constrictors of the subfamily Pythoninae, often growing to a length of more than 20 feet (6 meters): the Indian python, Python molurus, is endangered.

Python

²

[ pahy-thon, -thuhn ]

noun

, Classical Mythology.

1. a large dragon who guarded the chasm at Delphi from which prophetic vapors emerged. He was finally killed by Apollo, who established his oracle on the site.

python

³

[ pahy-thon, -thuhn ]

noun

1. a spirit or demon.
2. a person who is possessed by a spirit and prophesies by its aid.

Python

⁴

[ pahy-thon ]

Digital Technology, Trademark.

1. an open-source, high-level programming language known for its readability and support for multiple programming styles, and, due to its many libraries, a large range of applications.

python

¹

/ paɪˈθɒnɪk; ˈpaɪθən /

noun

1. any large nonvenomous snake of the family Pythonidae of Africa, S Asia, and Australia, such as Python reticulatus ( reticulated python ). They can reach a length of more than 20 feet and kill their prey by constriction

Python

²

/ ˈpaɪθən /

noun

1. Greek myth a dragon, killed by Apollo at Delphi

Derived Forms

• pythonic, adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of python¹

First recorded in 1580–90; from New Latin; special use of Python ¹

Origin of python²

First recorded in 1390–1400; Middle English, from Latin Pȳthōn, from Greek Pȳ́thōn; Pythian ( def ); perhaps akin to Typhôn, a part-serpent monster

Origin of python³

First recorded in 1595–1605; from Late Greek pȳ́thōn; relation to Python ¹ unclear

Origin of python⁴

Coined in 1989 by Python's creator, Dutch programmer Guido van Rossum (born 1956), after the comedy troupe Monty Python

Word History and Origins

Origin of python¹

C16: New Latin, after Python

Example Sentences

But most of all he loved Monty Python and would regularly repeat their hilarious sketches verbatim.

From The Daily Beast

This being Monty Python, the answer should have been obvious—their memories are no more; their line retention has ceased to be.

From The Daily Beast

Contrary to what we had all thought for the past 33 years, Monty Python is not dead.

From The Daily Beast

The press release had stated that the show would feature “classic Python material with modern topical twists.”

From The Daily Beast

He gives Carl back his gun and holsters his own famous Colt Python back around his waist.

From The Daily Beast

I saw the trunk curling back and creeping up to me like a python crawling up a hillside to coil around its prey.

From Project Gutenberg

Did you ever see the great python that died lately at the Zoo climb his ragged staff of a tree?

From Project Gutenberg

He became to her thought a python whose coils were about her person, insufferable to the gaze backward.

From Project Gutenberg

It is restored to represent the god at the moment when he has shot the arrow that slays the Python.

From Project Gutenberg

Anaconda, an-a-kon′da, n. a large South American water-snake of the Python family, closely related to the boa-constrictor.

From Project Gutenberg