viper
- 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).
- to nourish a viper in one's bosom, to befriend a person who proves to be treacherous.
Origin of viper
Examples from the Web for viper
Contemporary Examples
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 NextMarlow 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 CombatSteven 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 RevengeMarlow 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 ViperAndrew Romano
April 7, 2014
Harold, you see, was always what they used to call "a viper."
Historical Examples
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 ValleyHarold Frederic
Procinus, however, was spared to die of the bite of a viper.
The Devil's DictionaryAmbrose Bierce
I'll bet you that she's the mistress of that viper Fauchery!
He reminded me of a viper which I once killed in Beechcot Woods.
In the Days of DrakeJ. S. Fletcher
But now it was a viper—not a divine hope—it had nourished in its bosom.
Dreamers of the GhettoI. Zangwill
viper
- 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
Word Origin
Word Origin and History for viper
n.
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."