Definition of serpent:

part of speech: noun

A reptile having a very long body without feet, and which moves by undulations and contractions, noted for cunning; a subtle or malicious person; a musical instrument twisted somewhat like a serpent.

Usage examples:

• And, then, sin is a serpent because it is so subtle. John Henry Jowett in "My Daily Meditation for the Circling Year".

• I once heard a man say that the trail of the serpent lay across my papers. Martin Swayne in "The Blue Germ".

• On the table by his bed, among his own jewels, lay the golden serpent he had given her- he fancied he could see it in the dark- and she had worn it even in death. Georg Ebers in "The Complete Historical Romances of Georg Ebers".

• Then he showed Michael how he was to move the heavy stones, and where to build with them, and he himself sat down by the serpent and watched him, while the Prince went to work with a light heart, for he thought, " It is hard work while it lasts, but 'twill not be for long, and 'tis not much to do to win my Joan." Mary De Morgan in "The Necklace of Princess Fiorimonde and Other Stories".