adder

¹ American  

[ad-er] / ˈæd ər /

noun

1. the common European viper, Vipera berus.

2. any of various other venomous or harmless snakes resembling the viper.

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adder ² American  

[ad-er] / ˈæd ər /

noun

1. a person or thing that adds.

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adder ¹ British  

/ ˈædə /

noun

1. Also called: viper.  a common viper, Vipera berus, that is widely distributed in Europe, including Britain, and Asia and is typically dark greyish in colour with a black zigzag pattern along the back

2. any of various similar venomous or nonvenomous snakes

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adder ² British  

/ ˈædə /

noun

1. a person or thing that adds, esp a single element of an electronic computer, the function of which is to add a single digit of each of two inputs

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Etymology

Origin of adder¹

before 950; late Middle English; replacing Middle English nadder ( a nadder becoming an adder by misdivision; apron ), Old English næddre; cognate with Old Saxon nādra, Old High German nātara ( German Natter ), Old Norse nathra snake, Gothic nadrs adder, Old Irish nathir snake, Latin natrix water snake

Origin of adder²

First recorded in 1570–80; add + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Overall, the adder was thought to result in a less precise size distribution.

From Science Daily • Apr. 17, 2024

To investigate, Ms. Folwell set about dissecting the tail of a female death adder.

From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2022

Molly Simmons, 75, from Porthcawl said she is reluctant to take her three Welsh springer spaniels anywhere near long grass after one of her dogs was bitten by an adder.

From BBC • Jul. 30, 2022

A debut novel as slender and deadly as an adder, “Assembly” follows a young Black British woman preparing to attend a party at her boyfriend’s family estate.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 24, 2021

“Do you know of Asmodeus the giant adder, and where might I find him, sir?”

From "Redwall" by Brian Jacques

Related Words

• cobra