viper

[vahy-per]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR viper ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

any of several venomous Old World snakes of the genus Vipera, especially V. berus, a small snake common in northern Eurasia.

any related snakes belonging to the family Viperidae, characterized by erectile, venom-conducting fangs.

pit viper.

any of various venomous or supposedly venomous snakes.

a malignant or spiteful person.

a false or treacherous person.

(initial capital letter) Military. a 9-pound (4 kg), shoulder-launched, unguided U.S. Army antitank rocket with an effective range of 273 yards (250 meters).

Idioms

to nourish a viper in one's bosom, to befriend a person who proves to be treacherous.

Origin of viper

1520–30; < Latin vīpera, haplological variant of *vīvipera, noun use of feminine of *vīviper, later (as re-formation) vīviparus viviparous

Related formsvi·per·ish, adjectivevi·per·ish·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for viper

cobra, rattle, snake, copperhead, asp, adder

Examples from the Web for viper

Contemporary Examples of viper

Oberyn “Red Viper” Martell (Pedro Pascal) Dies: Season 4, Episode 8: “The Mountain and the Viper” Dios mio.
Life After ‘Game of Thrones’ Death: Where to See Your Favorite Dead Characters Next
Marlow Stern
June 18, 2014
Of the actual duel between the Mountain and the Viper, judging its accuracy is no easy matter.
The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat
Steven Isaac
June 3, 2014
“I want to bring those who have wronged me to justice,” said the Viper to Tyrion in the previous episode.
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Mountain and the Viper’ Recap: Trial by Combat and Inigo Montoya’s Revenge
Marlow Stern
June 2, 2014
A spring is compressed before it's released; the viper coils before it strikes.
Game of Thrones’ Season 4 Premiere ‘Two Swords’: Valyrian Steel, Arya’s Revenge, and the Red Viper
Andrew Romano
April 7, 2014
Harold, you see, was always what they used to call "a viper."
The Stacks: Harold Conrad Was Many Things, But He Was Never, Ever Dull
Mark Jacobson
March 8, 2014

Historical Examples of viper

For the wife of this viper she still was, and who could tell how soon she might not be in his power again?
In the Valley
Harold Frederic
Procinus, however, was spared to die of the bite of a viper.
The Devil's Dictionary
Ambrose Bierce
I'll bet you that she's the mistress of that viper Fauchery!
Nana, The Miller's Daughter, Captain Burle, Death of Olivier Becaille
Emile Zola
He reminded me of a viper which I once killed in Beechcot Woods.
In the Days of Drake
J. S. Fletcher
But now it was a viper—not a divine hope—it had nourished in its bosom.
Dreamers of the Ghetto
I. Zangwill

British Dictionary definitions for viper

viper

noun

any venomous Old World snake of the family Viperidae, esp any of the genus Vipera (the adder and related forms), having hollow fangs in the upper jaw that are used to inject venom

any of various other snakes, such as the horned viper

See pit viper

a malicious or treacherous person

Derived Formsviper-like, adjective

Word Origin for viper

C16: from Latin vīpera, perhaps from vīvus living + parere to bear, referring to a tradition that the viper was viviparous

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

Word Origin and History for viper

1520s, from Middle French vipere, from Latin vipera "viper, snake, serpent," from vivus "alive, living" (see vital) + parere "bring forth, bear" (see pare). It formerly was believed (mistakenly) that the viper does not lay eggs. Applied to persons of spiteful character since at least 1590s. The only venomous snake found in Great Britain. Replaced native adder. "The flesh of the viper was formerly regarded as possessing great nutritive or restorative properties, and was frequently used medicinally" [OED]; hence viper wine, wine medicated with some kind of extract from vipers, used 17c. by "gray-bearded gallants" in a bid "to feele new lust, and youthfull flames agin."