'Viper' definitions:
Definition of 'viper'
From: WordNet
noun
Venomous Old World snakes characterized by hollow venom- conducting fangs in the upper jaw
Definition of 'viper'
From: GCIDE
- 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. [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]
Definition of 'Viper'
From: Easton
- Viper In Job 20:16, Isa. 30:6; 59:5, the Heb. word eph'eh is thus rendered. The Hebrew word, however, probably denotes a species of poisonous serpents known by the Arabic name of 'el ephah. Tristram has identified it with the sand viper, a species of small size common in sandy regions, and frequently found under stones by the shores of the Dead Sea. It is rapid in its movements, and highly poisonous. In the New Testament _echidne_ is used (Matt. 3:7; 12:34; 23:33) for any poisonous snake. The viper mentioned in Acts 28:3 was probably the vipera aspis, or the Mediterranean viper. (See ADDER.)
Synonyms of 'viper'
From: Moby Thesaurus