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cerastes

[ suh-ras-teez ]

noun

, plural ce·ras·tes.
  1. any of several small vipers of the genus Cerastes, including the horned viper, that have a sideways looping motion like that of a sidewinder and inhabit deserts of northern Africa and southwestern Asia.


cerastes

/ səˈræstiːz /

noun

  1. any venomous snake of the genus Cerastes, esp the horned viper
“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


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Word History and Origins

Origin of cerastes1

1768; < New Latin < Greek kerástēs literally, something horned, equivalent to kerat- stem of kéras horn + -tēs noun suffix; earlier in sense “asp,” Middle English < Medieval Latin, Latin, as above
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Word History and Origins

Origin of cerastes1

C16: from Latin: horned serpent, from Greek kerastēs horned, from keras horn
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Example Sentences

He is called the cerastes, and is venomous, I believe, though not one of the worst kinds of poisonous snakes.

In fine, madam, if examples can soothe your grief, remember that Venus changed Cerastes into an ox.

At a relatively late period other snakes were adopted as surrogates of the cobra and Cerastes.

The cerastes is also employed occasionally by the snake-charmers.

The name Cerastes, or horned, has been given to it on account of these projections.

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