boa

Meaning

1. Any of a group of large American snakes, of the genus Boa, subfamily Boinae, or family Boidae, including the boa constrictor and the emperor boa of Mexico.
2. A type of long scarf; typically made from synthetic or real feathers (or occasionally fur), and usually worn by being draped across the shoulders with the ends hanging low, sometimes also with a loop around the neck.

Synonyms

boa constrictor

python

large serpent

feather boa

throat-wrap

large snake

neck-piece

anaconda

throat wrap

constrictor

necklet

neckpiece

kind of snake

bom

Translations

boa

boa

boa

Boa

boa

βόας

jibóia

boa

boa

Boa constrictor

boà

boá

jiboia

cuello de piel

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbəʊ.ə/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: boa

In summary

From Middle English boa, from Latin boa (“large snake”), a species of serpent mentioned in Pliny's Naturalis Historia (Natural History). The scarf was named attributively, for its resemblance to the snake when worn.