sidewinder

[ sahyd-wahyn-der ]

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.

sidewinder

/ 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

Word History and Origins

Origin of sidewinder¹

First recorded in 1830–40; side ¹ + winder

Example Sentences

The Raptor carries six AMRAAMs and two shorter range AIM-9 Sidewinder missiles inside its weapons bays.

From The Daily Beast

The sidewinder is of a grayish color, mottled with dark blotches.

From Project Gutenberg

One man carried at the same time two small sidewinder rattlesnakes in his mouth.

From Project Gutenberg

Yknow what the sidewinder, Bronco, babbled fore he passed out?

From Project Gutenberg

Pete walked over a sidewinder & Bud shot him ten ft. in air.

From Project Gutenberg

Once a sidewinder, almost invisible against the sand, looped away from the intruders with smooth deliberation.

From Project Gutenberg