/
ˈvʌɪpə/
n.
- a venomous snake with large hinged fangs, typically with dark patterns on a lighter background.
[Vipera berus (the adder) and other species, family Viperidae.]
- a spiteful or treacherous person.
Derivative
- viperine
/-rʌɪn/
adj. - viperish adj.
- viperous adj.
Etymology
C16: from Fr. vipère or L. vipera, from vivus ‘alive’ + parere ‘bring forth’ (with ref. to the former belief that vipers bore live young).
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