Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Acontias
‖
A-con′ti-as
,Noun.
[NL., from Gr. [GREEK], fr. [GREEK], dim. [GREEK] dart.]
(Zool.)
Anciently, a snake, called
dart snake
; now, one of a genus of reptiles closely allied to the lizards. Webster 1828 Edition
Acontias
ACON'TIAS
,Noun.
1.
A species of serpent, called dart-snake, or jaculum, from its manner of darting on its prey. This serpent is about three feet in length; of a light gray color with black spots, resembling eyes; the belly perfectly white. It is a native of Africa and the Mediterranean isles; is the swiftest of its kind, and coils itself upon a tree, from which it darts upon its prey.2.
A comet or meteor resembling the serpent.