side·wind·er¹ / ˈsīdˌwīndər/ • n. a pale-colored, nocturnal, burrowing rattlesnake (Crotalus cerastes) that moves sideways over sand by throwing its body into S-shaped curves. It is found in the deserts of North America.side·wind·er² • n. a heavy blow with the fist delivered from or on the side.

sidewinder (horned rattlesnake) Nocturnal rattlesnake found in deserts of sw USA and Mexico. It has horn-like scales over the eyes and is usually tan with a light pattern. It loops obliquely across the sand, leaving a J-shaped trail. Length: to 75cm (30in). Family Viperidae; species Crotalus cerastes. The term is also used to describe desert-dwelling snakes of the Old World that move in a similar way.

sidewinder (Crotalus cerastes) See CROTALIDAE.