Culebra
/kuːˈleɪbrə/noun
A Spanish-derived word meaning “snake,” used in English especially in names of places, plants, and geographic features.
Did you know?The place-name Culebra Cut in Panama was named for the snake-like shape of the ridge excavated during construction of the Panama Canal.
Etymological Timeline
Classical Latin
Latin
colubra
“Female snake; serpent”
Late Latin
Latin
colubra
“Snake or serpent, continuing the classical form”
Medieval Spanish
Old Spanish
culebra
“Snake; serpent”
15th–16th Century
Spanish
culebra
“Snake, including various large or conspicuous serpents”
19th Century
English
culebra
“A Spanish loanword used for a snake or snake-named geographic feature”
Modern English
English
culebra
“A Spanish-derived name or term associated with snakes, especially in the Americas”