noun

• 1Specifically. Any of several North American colubrid snakes of the genera Elaphe and Lampropeltis, especially the milk snake, L. triangulum.

• 2Specifically. Any of several small, non-venomous African colubrid snakes of the genus Lamprophis (formerly Boaedon).

• 3A snake believed to protect or watch over a household, especially one kept as a household god.