snakehead

[ sneyk-hed ]

noun

1. a turtlehead plant.
2. any elongate fish of the family Channidae (or Ophicephalidae), having a large head heads with a deeply cleft mouth and able to breathe atmospheric oxygen.

snakehead

/ ˈsneɪkˌhed /

noun

1. a Chinese criminal involved in the illegal transport of Chinese citizens to other parts of the world

Word History and Origins

Origin of snakehead¹

An Americanism dating back to 1775–85; snake + head

Word History and Origins

Origin of snakehead¹

C20: origin uncertain

Example Sentences

It’s markedly different from the days when Chinese nationals paid smugglers, known as snakeheads, and traveled in groups.

From Seattle Times

A Dorchester County, Maryland, man broke the record for the heaviest invasive snakehead fish ever caught in the state at a whopping 21 pounds, the Maryland Department of Natural Resources announced Friday.

From Washington Times

Wildlife officials spent two days searching for additional northern snakeheads in the conservation area and neighboring Mingo National Wildlife Refuge.

From Seattle Times

His preference for blue catfish, or snakehead when he can get it, is Amendola’s way of “helping out the bay” by ridding local waters of invasive species.

From Washington Post

And so it has been, home as it is to largemouth bass, snakeheads, catfish and the occasional striped bass.

From Washington Post