Meanings
proper noun
- astronomyA large summer constellation of the northern sky said to resemble a snake. It is the only constellation consisting of two parts (Serpens Caput and Serpens Cauda) separated by the constellation Ophiuchus, representing the snake handler Asclepius.
Here, Serpens, the serpent, is seen struggling vainly in the powerful grasp of the man who is named O-phi-u-chus. In Latin he is called Serpentarius.
1893, E. W. Bullinger, Witness of the Stars, London: The author, page 56
Synonyms & antonyms
Origin
- Latinserpēns“a snake”
- EnglishSerpens
From Latin serpēns (“a snake”). Doublet of serpent.
More words from Latin
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Ancient Greek Ὄφις
- Ὄφις (Óphis)large summer constellation of the northern sky
Arabic الْحَيَّة
- الْحَيَّة (al-ḥayya)large summer constellation of the northern sky
Catalan Serpent
- Serpentlarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Chinese Mandarin 巨蛇座
- 巨蛇座 (Jùshézuò)large summer constellation of the northern sky
Danish Slangen
- Slangenlarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Esperanto Serpento
- Serpentolarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Finnish Käärme
- Käärmelarge summer constellation of the northern sky
French Serpent
- Serpentlarge summer constellation of the northern sky
German Schlange
- Schlangelarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Greek Όφις
- Όφις (Ófis)large summer constellation of the northern sky
Icelandic Höggormurinn
- Höggormurinnlarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Irish an Phéist
- an Phéistlarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Korean 뱀자리
- 뱀자리 (Baemjari)large summer constellation of the northern sky
Latin Serpens
- Serpenslarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Malay Ular Besar
- Ular Besarlarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Polish Wąż
- Wążlarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Portuguese Serpente
- Serpentelarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Russian Змея́
- Змея́ (Zmejá)large summer constellation of the northern sky
Spanish Serpens
- Serpenslarge summer constellation of the northern sky
Rhymes & wordplay
Anagrams
Cite this entry
APA
Serpens. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Serpens
MLA
“Serpens.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Serpens. Accessed November 4, 2026.
Chicago
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “Serpens,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/Serpens.
Source: Serpens on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.