Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Viper \Vi"per\, 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}.]
1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of Old World
venomous makes belonging to {Vipera}, {Clotho}, {Daboia},
and other genera of the family {Viperid[ae]}.
There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on
his hand. --Acts xxviii.
3.
Note: Among the best-known species are the European adder
({Pelias berus}), the European asp ({Vipera aspis}),
the African horned viper ({V. 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. --Milton.
{Horned viper}. (Zo["o]l.) See {Cerastes}.
{Red viper} (Zo["o]l.), the copperhead.
{Viper fish} (Zo["o]l.), 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}.
Asp \Asp\ ([.a]sp), n. [L. aspis, fr. Gr. 'aspi`s: cf. OF. aspe,
F. aspic.] (Zo["o]l.)
A small, hooded, poisonous serpent of Egypt and adjacent
countries, whose bite is often fatal. It is the {Naja haje}.
The name is also applied to other poisonous serpents, esp. to
{Vipera aspis} of southern Europe. See {Haje}.
Source : WordNet®
Vipera aspis
n : of southern Europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
[syn: {asp}, {asp viper}]