adder
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (3)
- a person who adds numbersType of calculator, reckoner
- a machine that adds numbersType of calculator, calculating machine
- small terrestrial viper common in northern EurasiaSynonyms: common viperVipera berusType of viperMember of Vipera, genus Vipera
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: See Add.
One who, or that which, adds; esp., a machine for adding numbers.
Origin: OE. addere, naddere, eddre, AS. nædre, adder, snake; akin to OS. nadra, OHG. natra, natara, Ger. natter, Goth. nadrs, Icel. naðr, masc., naðra, fem.: cf. W. neidr, Gorn. naddyr, Ir. nathair, L. natrix, water snake. An adder is for a nadder.
1. A serpent. obsolete “The eddre seide to the woman.” Wyclif. Gen. iii. 4. )
2. Zoology (a) A small venomous serpent of the genus Vipera. The common European adder is the Vipera berus or Pelias berus. The puff adders of Africa are species of Clotho. (b) In America, the term is commonly applied to several harmless snakes, as the milk adder, puffing adder, etc. (c) Same as Sea Adder.
☞ In the sculptures the appellation is given to several venomous serpents, — sometimes to the horned viper (Cerastles).
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54