viper fish

Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

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.[1913 Webster]

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). [1913 Webster]

2.A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person. [1913 Webster]

Who committed To such a viper his most sacred trust Of secrecy.— Milton.[1913 Webster]

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]