viper

vi·per

noun \ˈvī-pər\

Definition of VIPER

1

a : a common Eurasian venomous snake (Vipera berus) that attains a length of about two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and is usually not fatal to humans; broadly : any of a family (Viperidae) of venomous snakes that includes Old World snakes (subfamily Viperinae) and the pit vipers b : a venomous or reputedly venomous snake

2

: a vicious or treacherous person

Examples of VIPER

1. <a viper sliding silently through the field>

Origin of VIPER

Middle English vipere, from Latin vipera

First Known Use: 15th century

Related to VIPER

Synonyms: serpent, snake

Related Words: adder, anaconda, asp, black racer, blacksnake, blue racer, boa, bull snake, bushmaster, chicken snake, cobra, constrictor, copperhead, coral snake, cottonmouth moccasin, diamondback rattlesnake, fer-de-lance, garter snake, gopher snake, green snake, hognose snake, horned viper, indigo snake, king cobra, king snake, krait, mamba, milk snake, moccasin, pine snake, pit viper, puff adder, python, racer, rat snake, rattlesnake, sea serpent, sea snake, sidewinder, taipan, water moccasin, water snake, worm snake

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Rhymes with VIPER

diaper, griper, hyper, piper, sniper, striper, wiper