GNU Collaborative International Dictionary of English

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1.       
   viper (vīˈpẽr), n. [F. vipère, L. vipera, probably contr. fr. vivipera; vivus alive + parere to bring forth, because it was believed to be the only serpent that brings forth living young.  Cf. Quick, a., Parent, Viviparous, Wivern, Weever.]
   
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   1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous snakes belonging to Vipera, Clotho, Daboia, and other genera of the family Viperidae.
   
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   There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. Acts xxviii. 3.
   
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   ☞ 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).
   
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   2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
   
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   Who committed
   
   To such a viper his most sacred trust
   
   Of secrecy. Milton.
   
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   3. Loosely, any venomous or presumed venomous snake.
   
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   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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