Rattlesnake \Rat"tle*snake`\ (r[a^]t"t'l*sn[=a]k`), n. (Zool.)
   Any one of several species of venomous American snakes
   belonging to the genera {Crotalus} and {Caudisona}, or
   {Sistrurus}; sometimes also called {rattler}. They have a
   series of horny interlocking joints at the end of the tail
   which make a sharp rattling sound when shaken. The common
   rattlesnake of the Northern United States ({Crotalus  horridus}), and the {diamondback rattlesnake} (also called
   {diamondback rattler}, and {diamondback}) of the South and
   East ({Crotalus adamanteus}) and West ({Crotalus atrox}), are
   the best known. See Illust. of {Fang}.
   [1913 Webster +PJC]

   {Ground rattlesnake} (Zool.), a small rattlesnake ({Caudisona  miliaria} or {Sistrurus miliaria}) of the Southern United
      States, having a small rattle. It has nine large scales on
      its head.

   {Rattlesnake fern} (Bot.), a common American fern
      ({Botrychium Virginianum}) having a triangular decompound
      frond and a long-stalked panicle of spore cases rising
      from the middle of the frond.

   {Rattlesnake grass} (Bot.), a handsome American grass
      ({Glyceria Canadensis}) with an ample panicle of rather
      large ovate spikelets, each one composed of imbricated
      parts and slightly resembling the rattle of the
      rattlesnake. Sometimes called {quaking grass}.

   {Rattlesnake plantain} (Bot.), See under {Plantain}.

   {Rattlesnake root} (Bot.), a name given to certain American
      species of the composite genus {Prenanthes} ({Prenanthes  alba} and {Prenanthes serpentaria}), formerly asserted to
      cure the bite of the rattlesnake. Called also {lions  foot}, {gall of the earth}, and {white lettuce}.

   {Rattlesnakes master} (Bot.)
   (a) A species of Agave ({Agave Virginica}) growing in the
       Southern United States.
   (b) An umbelliferous plant ({Eryngium yuccaefolium}) with
       large bristly-fringed linear leaves.
   (c) A composite plant, the blazing star ({Liatris  squarrosa}).

   {Rattlesnake weed} (Bot.), a plant of the composite genus
      {Hieracium} ({Hieracium venosum}); -- probably so named
      from its spotted leaves. See also {Snakeroot}.
      
[1913 Webster]