Viper fish

Viper fish
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. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous snakes belonging to {Vipera}, {Clotho}, {Daboia}, and other genera of the family {Viperid[ae]}. [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}. (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}. [1913 Webster]


The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.

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  • 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},… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • viper grass — 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} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Viper's bugloss — 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} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Viper's grass — 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} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Viper — and similar may refer to:Animals*Viper, any member of the family Viperidae, a group of snakes found throughout Africa, Eurasia and the Americas. *Viper, Agkistrodon piscivorus , a.k.a. the cottonmouth, a venomous snake found in North America.… …   Wikipedia

  • Horned viper — 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} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Red viper — 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} …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • viper — [16] A viper is etymologically a creature that ‘gives birth to live young’. The word comes via Old French vipere from Latin vīpera ‘snake’. This was a contraction of an earlier *vīvipera, a compound noun formed from vīvus ‘alive’ (source of… …   The Hutchinson dictionary of word origins

  • viper — [16] A viper is etymologically a creature that ‘gives birth to live young’. The word comes via Old French vipere from Latin vīpera ‘snake’. This was a contraction of an earlier *vīvipera, a compound noun formed from vīvus ‘alive’ (source of… …   Word origins

  • Sea Viper (roller coaster) — Sea Viper The Sea Viper s station. Previously known as Corkscrew Location Sea World …   Wikipedia

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