python

plural pythons

1. biologyAny of the family Pythonidae of nonvenomous constrictor snakes.
2. slangvulgarA penis.

1. Greekhuman sciencesThe earth-dragon of Delphi, represented as a serpent, killed by Apollo.

   3 more examples

   Here Apollo killed a serpent called the Python, and established a great prophetic shrine. Sometimes it is said that the Titaness Themis had the shrine before him, and this, as well as the killing of the Python, suggests that Apollo took over a place already of religious significance, associated with chthonic (i.e., earth) powers.

   1995, Gordon MacDonald Kirkwood, A Short Guide to Classical Mythology, page 11

   It would seem, therefore, that what we have on the Phasian phiale is the Python coiled round the omphalos.[…]Paintings on Greek pottery and coins have preserved many an example of gods seated on an omphalos, including those of Apollo, Nike, Asclepius and others.⁴¹³ Python on the omphalos must have carried some symbolic meaning.

   2000, Otar Lordkipanidze, Phasis: The River and City in Colchis, page 70

   Python, says Bailey, is derived from Putho to putrify, and the serpent Python being slain by Apollo, is thus interpreted: by Python is understood the ruin of the waters; Apollo slew this serpent with his arrows; that is, the beams of the sun dispersed the noxious vapours, which destroyed man like a devouring serpent.

   2005, M. A. Dwight, Taylor Lewis, Grecian and Roman Mythology, page 183

2. computer languagesAn interpreted, high-level, general-purpose programming language invented by Guido van Rossum.

plural Pythons

1. informalAny member of the comedy troupe Monty Python: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle, Terry Jones or Michael Palin.

   John Cleese is perhaps the best-known of the Pythons.

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   Its cast included eventual co-Goodie Tim Brooke-Taylor and embryo Pythons Graham Chapman and John Cleese.

   1983, Bill Oddie, Gone Birding, London: Methuen, page 67