boa
UK[ˈbəʊə]US[ˈboʊə]
n
A large, non-venomous snake that kills its prey by coiling around it and squeezing.
n
A long, thin scarf made of feathers or soft material, worn around the neck.
Etymology
The word 'boa' entered English in the late 14th century from Latin, where it named a type of large serpent. The Latin term's origins are obscure but it is often speculatively linked to 'bos' (genitive 'bovis'), meaning 'ox' or 'cow', possibly referencing the creature's formidable size and strength. This direct borrowing preserved both form and meaning. The application of the word to a feather scarf in the early 19th century is a metaphorical extension, likening the fluffy, coiled accessory to the snake's sinuous form.
Analysis
The word 'boa' is a simplex loanword. It is borrowed directly from Latin 'boa', a term for a large snake, which itself is of uncertain origin but may be related to 'bos' (ox, cow), perhaps due to its size.
Examples
The anaconda, a type of boa, is one of the heaviest snakes in the world.
She wore an elegant black dress with a white feather boa.
The boa constrictor slowly wrapped itself around the branch.