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Glite Dictionary
Vipera aspis

Vipera aspis

9.9
A venomous snake from southern Europe that is smaller than the common adder
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Vipera aspis
  • The Vipera aspis is often found basking on rocky slopes in southern France.

Examples

  • Unlike the common adder, Vipera aspis tends to avoid densely wooded areas.

  • Herpetologists studied the venom composition of Vipera aspis in their latest research.

  • The Vipera aspis is often found in rocky areas.

  • Have you ever seen a Vipera aspis in the wild?

  • Herpetologists studied the venom composition of Vipera aspis in their latest research.

  • The Vipera aspis is often found basking on rocky slopes in southern France.

  • Unlike the common adder, Vipera aspis tends to avoid densely wooded areas.

Surface Forms

Vipera aspis singular
Vipera aspises plural

Morphology

Vipera + aspis

Both constituent words refer to vipers/venomous snakes, so a learner who knows those meanings can infer that 'Vipera aspis' names a particular viper species. The Latin binomial pattern (genus + species) is a transparent taxonomic composition cross-linguistically, so the core meaning 'a venomous viper species' is derivable from the parts.

Etymology

The scientific name Vipera aspis comes from old languages: Vipera means 'viper' (a venomous snake) and aspis was used for an 'asp', another small poisonous snake. So the name literally labels this animal as a small venomous viper, which is why we use it for that species.