Something that is serpentine is curving and winding in shape, like a snake when it moves.
[literary]
...serpentine woodland pathways.
Synonyms: twisting, winding, snaking, crooked More Synonyms of serpentine
serpentine in British English1
(ˈsɜːpənˌtaɪn)
adjective
1.
of, relating to, or resembling a serpent
2.
twisting; winding
noun
3. mathematics
a curve that is symmetric about the origin of and asymptotic to the x-axis
Word origin
C14: from Late Latin serpentīnus, from serpēnsserpent
serpentine in British English2
(ˈsɜːpənˌtaɪn)
noun
1.
a dark green or brown mineral with a greasy or silky lustre, found in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is used as an ornamental stone; and one variety (chrysotile) is known as asbestos. Composition: hydrated magnesium silicate. Formula: Mg3Si2O5(OH)4. Crystal structure: monoclinic
2.
any of a group of minerals having the general formula (Mg,Fe)3Si2O5(OH)4
Word origin
C15 serpentyn, from Medieval Latin serpentīnumserpentine1; referring to the snakelike patterns of these minerals
serpentine in American English
(ˈsɜrpənˌtin; ˈsɜrpənˌtaɪn)
adjective
1.
of or like a serpent
; esp.,
a.
evilly cunning or subtle; treacherous
b.
coiled or twisted; winding
noun
2.
something that twists or coils like a snake, as a coil of thin paper thrown out to unwind as a streamer
3.
a rock or mineral, as chrysotile, consisting chiefly of hydrous magnesium silicate and having a greenish, often mottled, coloring
Word origin
ME serpentyn < OFr serpentin < LL(Ec) serpentinus; (sense 3) from resemblance to a serpent's skin
Examples of 'serpentine' in a sentence
serpentine
Not an imaginary scene, but a view of Philip's serpentine garden at Greystones, winding into the distance.
Melville, Anne THE HARDIE INHERITANCE (2001)
But its neck was serpentine and its head no larger than a fist.
Clive Barker COLDHEART CANYON (2001)
An aeroplane was moving over a world of forests and serpentine lakes.
Low, Ona MURKY SHALLOWS (2001)
It looked like it was made of plaques of imperial jade, not softer serpentine.