O*phid"i*a (?), n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. , dim. of a snake.] Zool.
The order of reptiles which includes the serpents.
⇒ The most important divisions are: the Solenoglypha, having erectile perforated fangs, as the rattlesnake; the Proteroglypha, or elapine serpents, having permanently erect fang, as the cobra; the Asinea, or colubrine serpents, which are destitute of fangs; and the Opoterodonta, or Epanodonta, blindworms, in which the mouth is not dilatable.
© Webster 1913.