SERPENTINING

Verb

serpentining

present participle of serpentine

Noun

serpentining (plural serpentinings)

A serpentine twisting.

Among the waltzings, and the droppings, and the swarmings of the sounds, Pierre now heard the tones above deftly stealing and winding among the myriad serpentinings of the other melody […]

Source: Wiktionary

SERPENTINE

Ser"pen*tine, a. Etym: [L. serpentinus: cf. F. serpentin.]

Definition: Resembling a serpent; having the shape or qualities of a serpent; subtle; winding or turning one way and the other, like a moving serpent; anfractuous; meandering; sinuous; zigzag; as, serpentine braid. Thy shape Like his, and color serpentine. Milton.

Ser"pen*tine, n. Etym: [Cf. (for sense 1) F. serpentine, (for sense 2) serpentin.]

1. (Min.)

Definition: A mineral or rock consisting chiefly of the hydrous silicate of magnesia. It is usually of an obscure green color, often with a spotted or mottled appearance resembling a serpent's skin. Precious, or noble, serpentine is translucent and of a rich oil-green color.

Note: Serpentine has been largely produced by the alteration of other minerals, especially of chrysolite.

2. (Ordnance)

Definition: A kind of ancient cannon.

Ser"pen*tine, v. i.

Definition: To serpentize. [R.] Lyttleton.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition