Snāke'wood, n.

n. (Bot.) (a.) A climbing plant (the Strychnos colubrina), growing in the Isle of Timor and other parts of the East, having a bitter taste, and supposed to be a certain remedy for the bite of the hooded serpent. (b.) A plant of the genus Ophioxylon, the roots and stems of which are twisted so as to resemble serpents. (c.) A plant of the genus Cecropia (C. peltata). (d.) A plant of the genus Plumeria (P. rubra). (e.) The wood of a tree of the genus Piratinera (Brosimum of some authors); letter-wood. See LETTER-WOOD.