Scolecophidia
/ˌskoʊlɪkoʊˈfɪdiə/noun
A taxonomic infraorder comprising small, mostly burrowing snakes commonly known as blind snakes and threadsnakes.
Did you know?The second half comes from Greek óphis, “snake,” the same root behind Ophiuchus—the astrological constellation traditionally depicted as a serpent-bearer.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
σκώληξ (skṓlēx)
“Worm or grub”
Ancient Greek
Greek
ὄφις (óphis)
“Snake or serpent”
19th Century
Scientific Latin
Scolecophidia
“A zoological name formed from Greek elements meaning “worm-snakes””
19th–20th Century
Taxonomic English
Scolecophidia
“A recognized group of small, burrowing snakes”
Modern English
English
scolecophidian
“Relating to a scolecophidian snake”