viper
any of several venomous Old World snakes of the genus Vipera, especially V. berus, a small snake common in northern Eurasia.
any related snakes belonging to the family Viperidae, characterized by erectile, venom-conducting fangs.
any of various venomous or supposedly venomous snakes.
a malignant or spiteful person.
a false or treacherous person.
Viper, Military. a 9-pound (4-kilogram), shoulder-launched, unguided U.S. Army antitank rocket with an effective range of 273 yards (250 meters).
Idioms about viper
to nourish a viper in one's bosom, to befriend a person who proves to be treacherous.
Origin of viper
1Other words from viper
- vi·per·ish, adjective
- vi·per·ish·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for viper
/ (ˈvaɪpə) /
any venomous Old World snake of the family Viperidae, esp any of the genus Vipera (the adder and related forms), having hollow fangs in the upper jaw that are used to inject venom
any of various other snakes, such as the horned viper
See pit viper
a malicious or treacherous person
Origin of viper
1Derived forms of viper
- viper-like, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Browse