adder

¹ad·der

noun \ˈa-dər\

Definition of ADDER

1

: the common venomous viper (Vipera berus) of Europe; broadly : any of various snakes of the viper family — compare puff adder

2

: any of several North American snakes (as the hognose snakes) that are harmless but are popularly believed to be venomous

Illustration of ADDER

Origin of ADDER

Middle English, alteration (by false division of a naddre) of naddre, from Old English nǣdre; akin to Old High German nātara adder, Latin natrix water snake

First Known Use: 14th century

Rhymes with ADDER

bladder, ladder, madder

²add·er

noun \ˈa-dər\

Definition of ADDER

: one that adds; especially : a device (as in a computer) that performs addition

First Known Use of ADDER

1580

ad·der

noun \ˈad-ər\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of ADDER

1

: the common venomous European viper of the genus Vipera (V. berus); broadly : a terrestrial viper of the family Viperidae

2

: any of several North American snakes (as the hognose snakes) that are harmless but are popularly believed to be venomous

Illustration of ADDER

adder

noun    (Concise Encyclopedia)

Puff adder (Bitis arietans)—Copyright © 1971 Z. Leszczynski/Animals Animals

Any of several venomous snakes of the viper family (Viperidae) and the death adder, a viperlike elapid. Vipers include the common adder, puff adders, and night adders. Adders occur in Europe, Asia, Africa, and Australia. They range in length from 18 in. to 5 ft (45 cm to 1.5 m). The puff adder of Africa and the death adder of Australia and the nearby islands are particularly venomous, with a bite potentially lethal to humans. The name is also used for other snakes (e.g., the hognose snake).