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Definition of timber rattlesnake
timber rattlesnake
Plural:timber rattlesnakes
timber rattlesnake Lexical Profile
CEFR
B2
Grade
7
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
North American A large, highly venomous species of pit viper native to the forests and rugged terrains of eastern North America, recognized by its dark V-shaped or W-shaped crossbands on a lighter background and a prominent rattle at the end of its tail.
Example
"While hiking through the Appalachian Mountains, we maintained a safe distance after hearing the distinctive warning buzz of a timber rattlesnake hiding in the brush."
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Derived from its primary habitat in North American deciduous forests ('timber') and the characteristic segmented keratin appendage on its tail that produces a warning buzz ('rattlesnake').
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Timber rattlesnake. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 14, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/timber rattlesnake