spitting cobra

American  

noun

1. any cobra or cobralike snake, especially the ringhals, that sprays venom at the eyes of approaching animals.

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Etymology

Origin of spitting cobra

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Each year, it is estimated that snakebite causes long term detrimental effects in around 400,000 people across the world, with a substantial proportion of those in Africa the result of spitting cobra bites.

From Science Daily

The zoo is home to species including an African grey parrot, a vervet monkey, giant lizards known as Nile monitors, a desert tortoise, a horned viper snake and a Nubian spitting cobra.

From Seattle Times

They had been bitten by a highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to Mozambique.

From BBC

Instead, the escape artist turned out to be a type of spitting cobra native to Africa.

From Seattle Times

Forget about the arm for a minute, that implausibly strong, tensile, spitting cobra of an arm.

From Washington Post