SIDEWINDER

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

IPA (US):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does sidewinder mean? 

• SIDEWINDER (noun)
  The noun SIDEWINDER has 2 senses:

1. small pale-colored desert rattlesnake of southwestern United States; body moves in an s-shaped curve

2. air-to-air missile with infrared homing device

  Familiarity information: SIDEWINDER used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• SIDEWINDER (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

Small pale-colored desert rattlesnake of southwestern United States; body moves in an s-shaped curve

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Synonyms:

Crotalus cerastes; horned rattlesnake; sidewinder

Hypernyms ("sidewinder" is a kind of...):

rattler; rattlesnake (pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that rattle when shaken)

Holonyms ("sidewinder" is a member of...):

Crotalus; genus Crotalus (large rattlesnakes; seldom bite unless startled or pursuing prey)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Air-to-air missile with infrared homing device

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("sidewinder" is a kind of...):

missile (a rocket carrying a warhead of conventional or nuclear explosives; may be ballistic or directed by remote control)