Definition of "viper" []

• Any of several venomous Old World snakes of the family Viperidae, having a single pair of long, hollow fangs and a thick, heavy body. Also called adder2. (noun)
• A pit viper. (noun)
• A venomous or supposedly venomous snake. (noun)
• A person regarded as malicious or treacherous. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Take the type 45 for example the sea viper is a navalised version of the French Astor which is in service."
• "The flesh of the viper is also eaten roasted, as a remedy against eruptions of the skin."
• "The word viper is interesting; coming directly from the Romans, who wrote it _vipera_."