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

There are more than 400 species comprising a very diverse group of snakes such as mambas, cobras, kraits, taipans, tiger snakes, death adders, sea snakes and coral snakes.

From Science Daily

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

From New York Times

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

Now, scientists have finally identified the new species of death adder, Acanthophis cryptamydros, which lives in the northwestern corner of the continent.

From National Geographic

If someone is bitten by a death adder, for example, the zoo provides all six of its vials of anti-venom for treatment.

From Washington Times