adj. 1. Of or resembling a serpent, as in form or movement; sinuous. 2. Subtly sly and tempting. 3. Relating to or associated with serpentinite or soil derived from it. n. (-tēn′) 1. Any of a group of greenish, brownish, or mottled minerals, Mg3Si2O5(OH)4, including chrysotile, a variety of asbestos. 2. A metamorphic rock containing serpentine minerals; serpentinite. [Middle English, from Old French serpentin, from Late Latin serpentīnus, from Latin serpēns, serpent-, serpent; see SERPENT.] |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition copyright ©2022 by HarperCollins Publishers. All rights reserved.