From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Rattlesnake \Rat"tle*snake`\ (r[a^]t"t'l*sn[=a]k`), n. (Zool.)
Any one of several species of venomous American snakes
belonging to the genera {Crotalus} and {Caudisona}, or
{Sistrurus}; sometimes also called {rattler}. They have a
series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail
which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken. The common
rattlesnake of the Northern United States ({Crotalus
horridus}), and the {diamondback rattlesnake} (also called
{diamondback rattler}, and {diamondback}) of the South and
East ({Crotalus adamanteus}) and West ({Crotalus atrox}), are
the best known. See Illust. of {Fang}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
{Ground rattlesnake} (Zool.), a small rattlesnake ({Caudisona
miliaria} or {Sistrurus miliaria}) of the Southern United
States, having a small rattle. It has nine large scales on
its head.
{Rattlesnake fern} (Bot.), a common American fern
({Botrychium Virginianum}) having a triangular decompound
frond and a long-stalked panicle of spore cases rising
from the middle of the frond.
{Rattlesnake grass} (Bot.), a handsome American grass
({Glyceria Canadensis}) with an ample panicle of rather
large ovate spikelets, each one composed of imbricated
parts and slightly resembling the rattle of the
rattlesnake. Sometimes called {quaking grass}.
{Rattlesnake plantain} (Bot.), See under {Plantain}.
{Rattlesnake root} (Bot.), a name given to certain American
species of the composite genus {Prenanthes} ({Prenanthes
alba} and {Prenanthes serpentaria}), formerly asserted to
cure the bite of the rattlesnake. Called also {lion's
foot}, {gall of the earth}, and {white lettuce}.
{Rattlesnake's master} (Bot.)
(a) A species of Agave ({Agave Virginica}) growing in the
Southern United States.
(b) An umbelliferous plant ({Eryngium yuccaefolium}) with
large bristly-fringed linear leaves.
(c) A composite plant, the blazing star ({Liatris
squarrosa}).
{Rattlesnake weed} (Bot.), a plant of the composite genus
{Hieracium} ({Hieracium venosum}); -- probably so named
from its spotted leaves. See also {Snakeroot}.
[1913 Webster]
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
rattlesnake
n 1: pit viper with horny segments at the end of the tail that
rattle when shaken [syn: {rattlesnake}, {rattler}]
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