viper

noun

vi·per | \ ˈvī-pər

Definition of viper

1a : 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

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Examples of viper in a Sentence

a viper sliding silently through the field

Recent Examples on the Web

Jordan Glasgow has taken snaps at viper, so has Brad Hawkins. — Nick Baumgardner, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan LBs Devin Bush Jr., Khaleke Hudson are modern wrecking balls," 28 June 2018 But legend has it that the earliest grenade was a small box of live vipers which ancient warriors threw into the enemy’s camp. — Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, "Five Innovations to Emerge From the First World War," 11 Nov. 2018 The viper is a blend between a linebacker and safety, and plays a role in seemingly every facet of the game. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football commitment Joey Velazquez a fit in defensive scheme," 23 June 2018 Still, genetic rescue has had successful outcomes too, for panthers in Florida, bighorn sheep in Montana, vipers in Sweden and others. — Steph Yin, New York Times, "Arctic Foxes on a Swedish Mountain Turned ‘Blue.’ It Was a Good Thing.," 28 Mar. 2018 And yet scientists know surprisingly little about where all those geckos and vipers and iguanas and pythons came from. — Sarah Kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "Meet the 240-million-year-old 'mother of all lizards'," 30 May 2018 The 6-foot-2, 180-pounder is a big hitter who flies to the ball and projects either as a rover (Michigan’s equivalent of a strong safety) or a viper. — Orion Sang, Detroit Free Press, "Michigan football recruiting: Several top prospects still uncommitted," 2 July 2018 Michigan also has offered West Bloomfield 2019 4-star linebacker Lance Dixon, who projects as a viper in Brown's defense. — Chris Nelsen, Detroit Free Press, "4-star prospect Marvin Grant Jr.: Recent contact with Michigan minimal," 10 Mar. 2018 The challenge for Succession is making viewers care about this nest of vipers, sniping and biting at each other for hours on end. — Sophie Gilbert, The Atlantic, "Filthy Rich: The Power Plays of Succession," 2 June 2018

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

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Last Updated

31 Jan 2019

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Time Traveler for viper

The first known use of viper was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for viper

viper

noun

English Language Learners Definition of viper

: a type of poisonous snake

See the full definition for viper in the English Language Learners Dictionary

viper

noun

vi·per | \ ˈvī-pər

Kids Definition of viper

: a poisonous heavy-bodied snake with long hollow fangs

viper

noun

vi·per | \ ˈvī-pər

Medical Definition of viper

1 : a common Eurasian venomous snake of the genus Vipera (V. 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 whose bite is usually not fatal to humans broadly : any snake of an Old World subfamily (Viperinae) of the family Viperidae

2 : pit viper

3 : a venomous or reputedly venomous snake