elapid

noun

el·​a·​pid ˈe-lə-pəd How to pronounce elapid (audio)
: any of a family (Elapidae) of venomous snakes (such as the cobras and coral snakes) with hollow fangs

Examples of elapid in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Called elapids, these include the New World coral snakes, African mambas, African and Asian cobras, Asian kraits, tropical ocean sea snakes and the highly venomous snakes that make their home in Australia. Eli Greenbaum, Smithsonian, 19 Dec. 2017

Word History

Etymology

New Latin Elap-, Elaps, genus of snakes, from Middle Greek, a fish, alteration of Greek elops

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of elapid was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near elapid

Cite this Entry

“Elapid.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/elapid. Accessed 8 Dec. 2024.

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