SIDEWINDER Meaning and
Definition
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A sidewinder refers to a specific type of snake belonging to the Crotalus genus, commonly found in the sandy desert regions of North and Central America. This venomous pit viper is known for its distinctive sideways method of locomotion, from which it derives its name. The unique sideways movement of the sidewinder is achieved by pushing its body laterally and then propelling forward in an S-shaped motion, lifting only a few points of contact with the ground at a time.
Physically, the sidewinder snake is characterized by its small to medium size, ranging from 1 to 3 feet in length. It possesses a triangular-shaped head, a heat-sensing pit between its eyes and nostrils, and a set of hollow fangs used for venom injection. The venom of the sidewinder is highly potent and aids in the rapid immobilization and digestion of its prey, primarily consisting of rodents, small mammals, and lizards.
Known for its adaptability to arid environments, the sidewinder possesses specialized scales on its belly and sides, enabling it to efficiently navigate through loose sand dunes without sinking or losing traction. The snake's unique locomotion enables it to effectively ambush its prey, utilizing its camouflage to blend into the desert surroundings.
Furthermore, the term "sidewinder" can be figuratively used to refer to a person or thing that navigates or moves in a similar sideways or unconventional manner.
Top Common Misspellings for SIDEWINDER *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for SIDEWINDER
- siteminder
- aidewinder
- zidewinder
- xidewinder
- didewinder
- eidewinder
- widewinder
- sudewinder
- sjdewinder
- skdewinder
- sodewinder
- s9dewinder
- s8dewinder
- sisewinder
- sixewinder
- sidewinderr
- sidewynderr
Etymology of SIDEWINDER
The word "sidewinder" has its origins in the early 19th century, combining two separate words. "Side" refers to the lateral movement or direction, while "winder" is derived from the Middle English word "winden", meaning to twist or turn. The term "sidewinder" was initially used to describe a particular type of snake found in North America, known for its unique method of moving sideways by throwing its body into a series of curves and loops. Eventually, the term was adopted for various other uses, including describing a type of military aircraft and a specific style of dance in the early 20th century.
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