sidewinder

American  

[sahyd-wahyn-der] / ˈsaɪdˌwaɪn dər /

noun

1. a severe swinging blow from the side.

2. a rattlesnake, Crotalus cerastes, of southwestern U.S. and northern Mexico, that has a hornlike projection over each eye and that moves in loose sand by raising loops on the body and displacing them sideways.

3. any Old World snake that moves by sidewinding, as various species of Bitis and Cerastes.

4. (initial capital letter) an air-to-air, supersonic weapon that intercepts and destroys enemy aircraft using an infrared homing-guidance system.

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sidewinder British  

/ ˈsaɪdˌwaɪndə /

noun

1. a North American rattlesnake, Crotalus cerastes, that moves forwards by a sideways looping motion

2. boxing a heavy swinging blow from the side

3. a US air-to-air missile using infrared homing aids in seeking its target

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Etymology

Origin of sidewinder

First recorded in 1830–40; side ¹ + winder