Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1971 (SND Vol. VIII).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
SERPENT, n. Also sarpent (Bnff. 1887 W. M. Philip Covedale 177). Sc. usage in comb. serpent's tongue, the lesser spearwort, Ranunculus flammula, so called from its narrow tapering leaf.Ork. 1920 J. Firth Reminiscences 96:
More likely to have some effect [on the toothache] was the application of the root of the little plant locally known as the “serpent's tongue”.
