SportsAugust 24, 2026

serpentine

SUR-puhn-teen

Definition

Relating to or resembling a serpent, particularly in form or movement; in this context, describing a back-and-forth drafting pattern.

Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'serpens' (meaning serpent or snake), the word entered English in the late 14th century to describe things that are winding, twisting, or shaped like a snake.

In the news

The article uses the term to describe the 'snake' draft format, where the selection order reverses each round to ensure fairness. It matters here because it is the standard method beginners will encounter in fantasy basketball.

NBA Fantasy: A beginner's guide how to play fantasy basketball

Read the full article ↗

NBA.com

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