Viper's grass

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}, {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's grass — noun perennial south European herb having narrow entire leaves and solitary yellow flower heads and long black edible roots shaped like carrots • Syn: ↑black salsify, ↑scorzonera, ↑Scorzonera hispanica • Hypernyms: ↑herb, ↑herbaceous plant • Mem …   Useful english dictionary

  • viper's-grass — valgomoji gelteklė statusas T sritis augalininkystė apibrėžtis Daugiametė, stora, rudai juoda, ritinio pavidalo šaknimi astrinių (Asteraceae) šeimos daržovė. Maistui vartojamos šaknys, kurios dažnai vadinamos juodšaknėmis. Tai dietinė daržovė,… …   Žemės ūkio augalų selekcijos ir sėklininkystės terminų žodynas

  • viper's-grass — | ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷| ̷ ̷ noun (plural viper s grasses) : a perennial herb (Scorzonera hispanica) with narrow entire leaves, solitary heads of yellow flowers, and long white carrot shaped roots that are eaten in Spain and elsewhere …   Useful english dictionary

  • common viper's-grass — valgomoji gelteklė statusas T sritis vardynas apibrėžtis Astrinių šeimos daržovinis, dekoratyvinis augalas (Scorzonera hispanica), paplitęs vakarų ir pietų Azijoje. atitikmenys: lot. Scorzonera hispanica angl. black oysterplant; black salsify;… …   Lithuanian dictionary (lietuvių žodynas)

  • 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 — 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 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} …   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 — n. 1 any venomous snake of the family Viperidae, esp. the common viper (see ADDER). 2 a malignant or treacherous person. Phrases and idioms: viper in one s bosom a person who betrays those who have helped him or her. viper s bugloss a stiff… …   Useful english dictionary

  • 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

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