Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary · 1913

Ophidia

Ophidia , proper noun, plural

[New Latin, from Greek {not transcribed}, dim. of 'o`fis a snake.]

(Zoology) The suborder of reptiles which includes the serpents; called also Serpentes.

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.