Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
viper
vi′per
(vī′pẽr)
, Noun.
[F. ,
vipère
, 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
, Adj.
Parent
, Viviparous
, Wivern
, Weever
.] 1.
(Zool.)
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. Acts xxviii. 3.
☞ 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
Of secrecy.
To such a
viper
his most sacred trustOf secrecy.
Milton.
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
.Webster 1828 Edition
Viper
VI'PER
,Noun.
1.
A serpent, a species of coluber, whose bite is remarkably venomous.A viper came out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. Acts 29.
2.
A person or thing mischievous or malignant.Definition 2024
Viper
viper
viper
See also: Viper
English
Noun
viper (plural vipers)
- A venomous snake in the family Viperidae.
- A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
- Milton
- Who committed / To such a viper his most sacred trust / Of secrecy.
- Milton
Synonyms
Derived terms
Translations
a poisonous snake in the family Viperidae
|
|
adder — see adder