snake's-head

[ sneyks-hed ]

noun

1. checkered lily.

snake's head

noun

1. a European fritillary plant, Fritillaria meleagris, of damp meadows, having purple-and-white chequered flowers

Word History and Origins

Origin of snake's-head¹

First recorded in 1730–40

Word History and Origins

Origin of snake's-head¹

C19: so called because its buds are claimed to resemble a snake's head

Example Sentences

A snake’s-head on the old railroads was where a rail got loose from the fish-plate at one end and came up over the wheel instead of staying down under it.

From Project Gutenberg

By these, but on the lower ground almost level with the water, big forget-me-nots, butterburs, and wild snake's-head lilies should be set, and all the crimson and white varieties of garden daisy.

From Project Gutenberg

In Gloucestershire the fruit of the Arum maculatum is snake's-victuals, and snake's-head is a common name for thefritillary.

From Project Gutenberg