Vipera aspis

Vipera aspis
    n 1: of southern Europe; similar to but smaller than the adder
         [syn: {asp}, {asp viper}, {Vipera aspis}]
    

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}.]
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   1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous
      snakes belonging to {Vipera}, {Clotho}, {Daboia}, and
      other genera of the family {Viperidae}.
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            There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on
            his hand.                             --Acts xxviii.
                                                  3.
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   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}).
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   2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
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            Who committed
            To such a viper his most sacred trust
            Of secrecy.                           --Milton.
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   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}.
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Asp \Asp\ ([.a]sp), n. [L. aspis, fr. Gr. 'aspi`s: cf. OF. aspe,
   F. aspic.] (Zool.)
   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}.
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