vi·per n.
1. Zool. Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous snakes belonging to Vipera, Clotho, Daboia, and other genera of the family Viperidae.
There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. --Acts xxviii. 3.
Note: ☞ Among the best-known species are the European adder (Pelias berus), the European asp (Vipera aspis), the African horned viper (Vipera cerastes), and the Indian viper (Daboia Russellii).
2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
Who committed
To such a viper his most sacred trust
Of secrecy. --Milton.
Horned viper. Zool. See Cerastes.
Red viper Zool., the copperhead.
Viper fish Zool., a small, slender, phosphorescent deep-sea fish (Chauliodus Sloanii). It has long ventral and dorsal fins, a large mouth, and very long, sharp teeth.
Viper's bugloss Bot., a rough-leaved biennial herb (Echium vulgare) having showy purplish blue flowers. It is sometimes cultivated, but has become a pestilent weed in fields from New York to Virginia. Also called blue weed.
Viper's grass Bot., a perennial composite herb (Scorzonera Hispanica) with narrow, entire leaves, and solitary heads of yellow flowers. The long, white, carrot-shaped roots are used for food in Spain and some other countries. Called also viper grass.
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Cop·per·head n.
1. Zool. A poisonous American serpent (Ancistrodon conotortrix), closely allied to the rattlesnake, but without rattles; -- called also copper-belly, and red viper.
2. A nickname applied to a person in the Northern States who sympathized with the South during the Civil War. [U.S.]
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