schaapsteker

noun

schaap·​ste·​ker
variants or skaapsteker
ˈskäpˌstikə(r),
-tēk-
plural -s
: any of several inoffensive and generally harmless African back-fanged snakes: such as
a
: a snake (Trimerorhinus rhombeatus) irregularly marked in shades of brown

called also spotted schaapsteker

b
: a related snake (T. tritaeniatus) having two or three dark longitudinal bands on the grayish brown back

called also striped schaapsteker

c
: a sand snake of the genus Psammophis

Word History

Etymology

Afrikaans skaapsteker, from skaap sheep (from Dutch schaap, from Middle Dutch schaep) + steker one that stings or pricks, from Dutch, from steken to sting, prick + -er; akin to Old High German stehhan to sting, prick

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Dictionary Entries Near schaapsteker

sch

schaapsteker

Schabzieger

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Cite this Entry

“Schaapsteker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/schaapsteker. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

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