Ophidia \O*phid"i*a\, prop. n. pl. [NL., fr. Gr. ?, dim. of
'o`fis a snake.]
(Zool.)
The suborder of reptiles which includes the serpents; called
also {Serpentes}.
[1913 Webster +PJC]
Note: 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.
[1913 Webster]
Source: The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
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