a. [f. SNAKE sb.] Of or pertaining to a snake; snake-like, snaky.
1532. More, Confut. Tindale, Wks. 512/1. These Heretiques … whose snakish and serpentine generacions haue … hadde theyr heades troden downe by Godde.
1565. Golding, Ovid’s Met., IV. (1593), 97. Before this snakish shape do whole my body over-run. Ibid., 98. On their snakish heads grew crests.
1594. Carew, Tasso (1881), 26. So gentle seemd a while, the Snakish brood.
1632. Lithgow, Trav., B j b. The hissing of snakish Papists.
1825. Examiner, 4 Sept., 560/1. The sneaking, snakish, and vile token of displeasure, hissing.
1864. Carlyle, Fredk. Gt., XV. xi. IV. 168. If you will withdraw your snakish notions, will guarantee Silesia,… he will march home.
Hence Snakishness.
1834. J. Masson, Demetrie, etc. 163.
| Like those who your affections win, | |
| With all the snakishness of sin. |
1901. S. Dark, Stage Silhouettes, 18. Mrs. Campbell’s subtlety and snakishness as Lady Macbeth live in my memory.
