Definition

Noun: A plumber's snake is a long, flexible, coiled metal tool used by plumbers to clear blockages from inside pipes, particularly those with bends or curves. It is designed to be inserted into a drain or pipe to break up or retrieve obstructions.

Usage

The term plumber's snake refers specifically to the tool itself. It is a compound noun where "plumber's" indicates the primary user or context, and "snake" describes the tool's long, flexible, coiled nature. * Use it as a countable noun (e.g., a plumber's snake, two plumber's snakes). * It is often used in the context of home maintenance, plumbing repairs, and clearing clogged drains.

Examples

• "The drain was completely blocked, so I had to use a plumber's snake to clear it."
• "A basic plumber's snake is an essential tool for any homeowner to handle minor clogs."
• "The plumber fed the plumber's snake into the pipe until it reached the obstruction."

Advanced Usage

• The tool is also commonly known as a drain snake or an auger. "Plumber's snake" emphasizes its professional use, while "drain snake" is a more general term.
• In professional contexts, specific types may be referred to by their mechanism, such as a hand-crank snake or a motorized drain auger, but these are still categories of plumber's snakes.

Variants and Related Words

• Drain snake (n): A general term for the same tool.
• (Drain) auger (n): A more technical term, often used for heavier-duty or motorized versions. A "closet auger" is a specific type designed for toilets.
• Pipe cleaner (n): This can be a more general term but often refers to chemical solutions or smaller, simpler tools, not typically the long, flexible coil.

Synonyms

• Drain auger
• Pipe snake
• Plumbing auger

Antonyms & Contrasts

• Chemical drain cleaner: A liquid or gel solution used to dissolve a clog, as opposed to a mechanical tool.
• Plunger: A suction-based tool used for clearing blockages, typically in toilets or sink drains, which works on a different principle.

Related Phrases & Context

• To snake a drain: The verb form derived from the tool's name, meaning to use a plumber's snake to clear a pipe.
  • Example: "I tried plunging first, but I finally had to snake the drain to get the hair out."

Noun

1. a long flexible steel coil for dislodging stoppages in curved pipes