1.
[syn: asp, asp viper, Vipera aspis]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
viper \vi"per\ (v[imac]"p[~e]r), n. [F. vip[`e]re, L. vipera,
probably contr. fr. vivipera; vivus alive + parere to bring
forth, because it was believed to be the only serpent that
brings forth living young. Cf. Quick, a., Parent,
Viviparous, Wivern, Weever.]
[1913 Webster]
1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous
snakes belonging to Vipera, Clotho, Daboia, and
other genera of the family Viperidae.
[1913 Webster]
There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on
his hand. --Acts xxviii.
3.
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Note: Among the best-known species are the European adder
(Pelias berus), the European asp (Vipera aspis),
the African horned viper (Vipera cerastes), and the
Indian viper (Daboia Russellii).
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2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
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Who committed
To such a viper his most sacred trust
Of secrecy. --Milton.
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3. Loosely, any venomous or presumed venomous snake.
[PJC]
Horned viper. (Zool.) See Cerastes.
Red viper (Zool.), the copperhead.
Viper fish (Zool.), a small, slender, phosphorescent
deep-sea fish (Chauliodus Sloanii). It has long ventral
and dorsal fins, a large mouth, and very long, sharp
teeth.
Viper's bugloss (Bot.), a rough-leaved biennial herb
(Echium vulgare) having showy purplish blue flowers. It
is sometimes cultivated, but has become a pestilent weed
in fields from New York to Virginia. Also called blue
weed.
Viper's grass (Bot.), a perennial composite herb
(Scorzonera Hispanica) with narrow, entire leaves, and
solitary heads of yellow flowers. The long, white,
carrot-shaped roots are used for food in Spain and some
other countries. Called also viper grass.
[1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48:
Asp \Asp\ ([.a]sp), n. [L. aspis, fr. Gr. 'aspi`s: cf. OF. aspe,
F. aspic.] (Zool.)
A small, hooded, poisonous serpent of Egypt and adjacent
countries, whose bite is often fatal. It is the Naja haje.
The name is also applied to other poisonous serpents, esp. to
Vipera aspis of southern Europe. See Haje.
[1913 Webster]
WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006):
Vipera aspis
n 1: of southern Europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
[syn: asp, asp viper, Vipera aspis]