krait

noun \ ˈkrīt \

Definition of krait

: any of a genus (Bungarus) of brightly banded extremely venomous nocturnal elapid snakes of Pakistan, India, southeastern Asia, and adjacent islands

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Recent Examples of krait from the Web

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, "When Science Means Getting Cobra Venom Spat Into Your Eye," 19 Dec. 2017
Wire Photo AP In 1954, a bite from a krait, a deadly snake from Thailand, put Haast in an iron lung while Vaughn sourced antivenom from India.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "South Miami Hospital co-founder, Dr. James Vaughn, dies at 95," 19 May 2017
Wire Photo AP In 1954, a bite from a krait, a deadly snake from Thailand, put Haast in an iron lung while Vaughn sourced antivenom from India.

— howard cohen, miamiherald, "South Miami Hospital co-founder, Dr. James Vaughn, dies at 95," 19 May 2017
To find a more universal antivenom, Ratanabanangkoon and his colleagues collected 12 venom samples from six species of Asian snakes, including four cobras and two kraits.

— National Geographic, "New Antivenom Can Treat 18 Kinds of Snakebites," 3 May 2016
So the sea krait has its deadly bite, which doubles as an offensive and defensive weapon, while the lionfish has its spines.

— matt simon, WIRED, "Absurd Creature of the Week: The Octopus That Does Incredible Impressions of Fish and Snakes," 4 Dec. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'krait.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of krait

Hindi & Urdu karait

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First Known Use: 1874

in the meaning defined above

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Medical Dictionary

krait

noun \ ˈkrīt \

medical Definition of krait

: any of several brightly banded extremely venomous nocturnal elapid snakes of the genus Bungarus that occur in Pakistan, India, southeastern Asia, and adjacent islands