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What is the apt word to be used when a snake has its head looking straight towards us and shows its tongue outside vociferously, probably when it is about to bite?

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Run...........! – Edwin Ashworth Jan 21 at 11:23
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I think you should provide a litte more context by editing your question. For a cobra, I believe that's called a threatening position. But there are also instances in literature where a snake mesmerizes its prey, so such a snake could be undulating as well. This depends on if we are watching a snake charmer, or if we are in danger of getting bit. – J.R. Jan 21 at 11:35
mesmerizes seems to be somewhat near..but i need something more than that...especially when its in a bad mood to bite someone... – Lucky Jan 21 at 11:45
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Possibly reared. – tylerharms Jan 21 at 12:10
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@Lucky: notice I said "by editing your question." A comment is not an edit; it forces everyone else to read through this discussion to get a clarification you probably should have provided in the first place. – J.R. Jan 21 at 12:15

2 Answers

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I believe the word you're looking for is hooded.

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Not all snakes are hooded, it is specific to cobras. – KeyBrd Basher Jan 22 at 10:26
You're right. Though I believe the original poster has a picture in mind of a hooded snake. So it seems. – Sathyaish Jan 22 at 10:36
okay that was a close one...had to see this with the picture for confirmation web-books.com/Classics/ON/B0/B898/090MB898.html and that was the position of snake i had a picture of in my mind... – Lucky Jan 22 at 11:22
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Their is a phrase which suits the scenario: "ready to strike". The complete phrase(literary) goes like this

......coiled and ready to strike.

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