Python

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈpaɪθən/

Definitions

1. A large nonvenomous snake known for squeezing prey ; a widely used high-level programming language known for its readability and versatility
2. A giant snake species that kills by constriction, often found in tropical regions ; an interpreted language popular for web development, data analysis, and automation
3. A powerful snake that kills animals by wrapping tight around them ; a general-purpose coding language favored for its clear syntax and extensive libraries

Etymology: The snake is named after a monster from Greek myth. At Delphi, the sanctuary of Apollo, lived a huge serpent called Python, which Apollo killed with his arrows. The Greek name Púthōn is probably connected to Puthṓ, an older name for the town of Delphi itself, so the snake was in a sense named after its place. English borrowed the word through Latin "python," which took it from Greek. The snake sense came later than the myth, as classical writers applied the name to large constrictors, a meaning that stuck in English. The word entered English from Latin, and the myth it recalls is the reason a crushing reptile carries the name of a dragon slain by a god.

Synonyms: boa, anaconda, serpent, snake, ophidian