| moccasin | 1. A shoe made of deerskin, or other soft leather, the sole and upper part being one piece. It is the customary shoe worn by the American Indians. 2. <zoology> A poisonous snake of the Southern United States. The water moccasin (Ancistrodon piscivorus) is usually found in or near water. Above, it is olive brown, barred with black; beneath, it is brownish yellow, mottled with darker. The upland moccasin is Ancistrodon atrofuscus. They resemble rattlesnakes, but are without rattles. <botany> Moccasin flower, a species of lady's slipper (Cypripedium acaule) found in North America. The lower petal is two inches long, and forms a rose-coloured moccasin-shaped pouch. It grows in rich woods under coniferous trees. Origin: Sometimes written moccason. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| water moccasin | <zoology> A venomous North American snake (Ancistrodon piscivorus) allied to the rattlesnake but destitute of a rattle. It lives in or about pools and ponds, and feeds largely of fishes. Synonym: water snake, water adder, water viper. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |