Boas

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A type of large, non-venomous snake typically found in tropical regions, known for its constriction method of subduing prey
2. A family of snakes characterized by their ability to coil around and immobilize their prey through constriction, often kept as exotic pets
3. A group of serpents recognized for their robust bodies and distinctive patterns, commonly inhabiting rainforests and various ecosystems

Etymology: The plural "boas" is simply the regular plural of "boa", so the interesting history belongs to the singular. Pliny the Elder's "Natural History", a Roman encyclopedia of the first century, mentions a serpent called "boa", a name that English later borrowed for the large constrictors now known by it. The word reached English from Latin, where it stood for a snake that was said to suffocate its prey by wrapping around it. The most surprising twist is that the scarf came first in English usage. The fur or feather wrap got its name attributively, because when worn around the neck it resembled the coiled snake, and the snake name was then transferred to the accessory. The same word was therefore applied to the object before it ended up naming the reptiles themselves in common speech.

Synonyms: scarf, wrap