[sneyk-root, -roo
t] 
| 1. | any of various plants whose roots have been regarded as a remedy for snakebites, as the herb Aristolochia serpentaria (Virginia snakeroot), having a medicinal rhizome and rootlets, and the white-flowered Polygala senega (Seneca snakeroot), having a medicinal root. |
| 2. | the root or rhizome of such a plant. |
| 3. | the North American bugbane. |
| 4. | a white eupatorium, Eupatorium rugosum. |
| 5. | a plant, Rauwolfia serpentina (or Rauvolfia serpentina), whose roots are the source of reserpine and other drugs. |
| snake·root (snāk'rōōt', -rŏŏt') n. Any of various plants, such as black cohosh, rattlesnake master, sanicle, or wild ginger, having roots reputed to cure snakebite. |