spitting cobra
noun
: any of several cobras (such as Naja nigricollis and Hemachatus haemachatus of Africa) that in defense typically eject their venom toward the victim without striking
Examples of spitting cobra in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Shockingly, each of these spitting cobra lineages also exhibit similar molecular adaptations in their venom to produce toxins that target mammalian sensory neurons, specifically geared to induce pain.
—
Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
One of the most remarkable findings in recent venom research is the independent evolution of pain-inflicting defense strategies in spitting cobra venoms.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
By analyzing the venoms of 17 spitting and nonspitting species—and measuring their effects—venom biologist Nicholas Casewell of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and colleagues tested whether the makeup of spitting cobra venom had also changed over time to become a more effective defense.
—Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 21 Jan. 2021
The result: a massive chance of a direct hit, and a reeling animal that will think twice about approaching a spitting cobra again.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2010
Bruce Young from the University of Massachusetts is antagonising a spitting cobra.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2010
Instead, the escape artist turned out to be a type of spitting cobra native to Africa.
—Washington Post, 2 July 2021
Take spitting cobras, which bite and spray painful, blinding venom at the eyes and face of an assailant, thanks to pores in their fangs.
—National Geographic, 7 Jan. 2020
Fire ants, spitting cobras and even some species of birds are known to disable their prey with harmful sprays.
—Douglas Quenqua, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2018
Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
One of the most remarkable findings in recent venom research is the independent evolution of pain-inflicting defense strategies in spitting cobra venoms.
—Scott Travers, Forbes, 14 Feb. 2024
By analyzing the venoms of 17 spitting and nonspitting species—and measuring their effects—venom biologist Nicholas Casewell of the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and colleagues tested whether the makeup of spitting cobra venom had also changed over time to become a more effective defense.
—Mitch Leslie, Science | AAAS, 21 Jan. 2021
The result: a massive chance of a direct hit, and a reeling animal that will think twice about approaching a spitting cobra again.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2010
Bruce Young from the University of Massachusetts is antagonising a spitting cobra.
—Ed Yong, Discover Magazine, 14 May 2010
Instead, the escape artist turned out to be a type of spitting cobra native to Africa.
—Washington Post, 2 July 2021
Take spitting cobras, which bite and spray painful, blinding venom at the eyes and face of an assailant, thanks to pores in their fangs.
—National Geographic, 7 Jan. 2020
Fire ants, spitting cobras and even some species of birds are known to disable their prey with harmful sprays.
—Douglas Quenqua, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2018
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'spitting cobra.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1910, in the meaning defined above
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Cite this Entry
“Spitting cobra.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/spitting%20cobra. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
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Medical Definition
spitting cobra
noun
: black-necked cobra
also
: an African cobra (Hemachatus hemachatus) that in defense typically ejects its venom toward the victim without striking
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