How Do You Spell WHITESNAKE?

Pronunciation: [wˈa͡ɪtsne͡ɪk] (IPA)

Whitesnake is a band name that consists of two words merged into one. The word 'white' is pronounced as /waɪt/ in IPA phonetic transcription, where 'w' is pronounced as /w/, 'h' is silent, 'i' as /aɪ/, 't' as /t/. Similarly, the word 'snake' is pronounced as /sneɪk/ where 's' is pronounced as /s/, 'n' as /n/, 'a' as /eɪ/, 'k' as /k/. Putting them together, the band name is pronounced as /waɪtsneɪk/.

WHITESNAKE Meaning and Definition

  1. Whitesnake refers to a term that holds two distinct meanings. Primarily, it is the name of a British rock band that was formed in 1978 by the renowned vocalist David Coverdale. Famous for their bluesy hard rock sound, Whitesnake gained international popularity with their numerous hit songs and albums, including "Here I Go Again" and "Is This Love." The band's music often features heavy guitar riffs, catchy melodies, and Coverdale's distinctive soulful voice, making them one of the most influential and successful rock bands of the 1980s.

    On the other hand, "whitesnake" can also be interpreted as a compound noun referring to a species of snake. Specifically, it is a colloquial term used to denote a white-colored snake. This could refer to various species of snakes that display a dominant white coloration, such as the albino Burmese python or the white-lipped python. While this usage is less common than the first, it is still recognized within the field of herpetology, the study of reptiles.

    In both contexts, whether related to the rock band or the snake, "whitesnake" is a term that has achieved recognition and distinctiveness, albeit in different realms.

Etymology of WHITESNAKE

The word "whitesnake" is a compound noun formed by combining the words "white" and "snake". The term "white" refers to the color, often symbolizing purity or innocence, while "snake" refers to a scaly, legless reptile.

In the context of music, "Whitesnake" specifically refers to the name of a British rock band formed in 1978 by vocalist David Coverdale, formerly of the band Deep Purple. The name "Whitesnake" was chosen by Coverdale himself, but the exact reasoning behind its selection is not explicitly known.

One possible interpretation of the name could be related to the image of a snake shedding its skin, symbolizing transformation or rebirth. The addition of "white" may suggest a sense of purity or elegance intertwining with the wild nature of the snake.