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viperine

[vahy-per-in, -puh-rahyn]
adjective
  1. of, relating to, or resembling a viper; venomous: a gossip with a viperine tongue.
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Origin of viperine

From the Latin word vīperīnus, dating back to 1540–50. See viper, -ine1
Related formspseu·do·vi·per·ine, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for viperine

Historical Examples of viperine

  • But your Lamia has taught you some subtle 'viperine' reasoning and motiving, for the turning down one street instead of another.

    The Letters of Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Barrett, Vol. 1 (of 2) 1845-1846

    Robert Browning and Elizabeth Barrett Barrett

  • Here, among a number of viperine snakes of about the same size, is a snake that lives on eggs.