copperhead
copperhead Lexical Profile
• noun
North American A venomous pit viper native to eastern North America, characterized by a distinctive copper-colored head and a pattern of hourglass-shaped crossbands on its body.
"While hiking through the Appalachian woods, we kept a careful watch for copperheads camouflaged among the fallen autumn leaves."
American A vocal faction of Democrats in the Northern United States during the American Civil War who opposed the conflict and advocated for an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates.
"The President faced fierce political opposition from the Copperheads, who argued that the cost of the war in lives and resources was unjustifiable."
Australian A highly venomous elapid snake found in cooler regions of southern and eastern Australia, known for its tolerance to cold weather and its brownish or coppery back.
"The lowland copperhead is one of the few snakes that remains active during the chilly winters of southern Victoria."
Word Nuance & Usage
When capitalized in an American historical context, 'Copperhead' specifically refers to a Civil War-era Northern Democrat who opposed the war, drawing its name as a pejorative reference to the venomous snake.
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'copper' and 'head', first recorded in the 1700s to describe the North American snake due to its distinctive coloration. During the American Civil War in the 1860s, it was adopted as a derogatory term for anti-war Northern Democrats.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.