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puff adder
noun
- a large, thick-bodied, African viper, Bitis arietans, that inflates its body and hisses when disturbed.
- a similar viper, B. inornata, native to southern Africa.
puff adder
noun
- a large venomous African viper, Bitis arietans, that is yellowish-grey with brown markings and inflates its body when alarmed
- See hognose snakeanother name for hognose snake
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Word History and Origins
Origin of puff adder1
First recorded in 1780–90
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Example Sentences
It is a specimen—a very rare specimen—of the South African puff-adder.
From Project Gutenberg
We have another dangerous serpent, the puff adder, and several vipers.
From Project Gutenberg
We shot a large puff-adder, to prevent it from killing men; you may see it lying dead on the beach.
From Project Gutenberg
They were all small and only two, a puff adder and a little viper, were known to be venomous.
From Project Gutenberg
The larger snake is as highly poisonous as the common puff-adder, and quite as much dreaded.
From Project Gutenberg
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