rattlesnake
UK: ˈræt(ə)lsneɪk | US: ˈræt(ə)lˌsneɪk
n. a venomous snake of the pit viper family, characterized by a segmented rattle at the end of its tail that produces a buzzing sound when vibrated.
The word "rattlesnake" is a compound of "rattle" (from Middle English ratelen, imitative of a rapid, sharp sound) and "snake" (from Old English snaca, meaning "serpent"). The name directly references the snake's distinctive tail rattle, which it uses as a warning signal. The logic is straightforward: the creature is a snake that produces a rattling sound, hence "rattlesnake."
The hiker froze when he heard the warning buzz of a rattlesnake nearby.
Rattlesnakes use their tails to scare away potential predators.
She carefully avoided the rocky area where rattlesnakes were known to sunbathe.
The rattlesnake's venom can be deadly if not treated promptly.
Native American tribes revered the rattlesnake as a symbol of power and protection.