viper
viper (vī"pẽr) , noun
[French vipère, Latin vipera, probably contr. from vivipera; vivus alive + parere to bring forth, because it was believed to be the only serpent that brings forth living young. Compare Quick, a., Parent, Viviparous, Wivern, Weever.]
1.
(Zoology) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous snakes belonging to Vipera, Clotho, Daboia, and other genera of the family Viperidae.
There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
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).
2.
A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
Who committed
To such a viper his most sacred trust
Of secrecy.
3.
Loosely, any venomous or presumed venomous snake.
Collocations (5)
Red viper (Zoology) , the copperhead.
Viper fish (Zoology) , 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 (Botany) , 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 (Botany) , 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.