Subscriber login


Forgot your password?

Library card login

Other

viper

Syllabification: (vi·per)
Pronunciation: /ˈvīpər/
Translate viper | into French | into German | into Italian | into Spanish
Definition of viper

noun

  • a venomous snake with large hinged fangs, typically having a broad head and stout body, with dark patterns on a lighter background.
  • a spiteful or treacherous person.

Phrases

viper in one's bosom

a person who betrays those who have helped them.

Derivatives

viperine

Pronunciation: /ˈvīpəˌrīn, -rin/
adjective

viperish

adjective

viperous

Pronunciation: /ˈvīp(ə)rəs/
adjective

Origin:

early 16th century: from French vipère or Latin vipera, from vivus 'alive' + parere 'bring forth'

viper in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of viper in the British & World English dictionary

Nearby words

  |  Cite

More words in this category

Word of the day

offing

/ ˈɒfɪŋ /
noun
the more distant part of the sea in view …