death adder

American  

noun

1. either of two highly venomous elapid snakes of the genus Acanthophis, of Australia and New Guinea, having a stout body and broad head.

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death adder British  

noun

1. a venomous Australian elapid snake, Acanthophis antarcticus, resembling an adder

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Etymology

Origin of death adder

First recorded in 1855–60

Example Sentences

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

From New York Times • Dec. 13, 2022

Fry survived his encounter with the death adder thanks to a snakebite kit containing injectable adrenaline and antihistamines, as well as a quick-thinking friend who raced him to the hospital.

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2021

He had just been bitten by a death adder, one of Australia's most venomous snakes.

From Salon • Feb. 11, 2021

Unlike some snakes, which hunt by chasing down their prey, a death adder waits for a victim to cross its path, wiggling its small, worm-like tail as a lure.

From National Geographic • Sep. 29, 2015

And down he came, the black snake coiled round one arm, the tiger snake round the other, and the death adder on his shoulder, coiled towards his neck.

From Australian Legendary Tales: folklore of the Noongahburrahs as told to the Piccaninnies by Parker, K. Langloh (Katie Langloh)