Vipera berus
- noun
- Specialized
:
Vipera berus
- The bite of a Vipera berus is rarely fatal to humans but can cause significant discomfort.
Examples
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The Vipera berus is often found in woodlands.
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Have you ever seen a Vipera berus in the wild?
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Hikers in northern Europe are advised to watch out for Vipera berus in grasslands and forests.
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Researchers studied the habitat preferences of Vipera berus in the wild.
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The bite of a Vipera berus is rarely fatal to humans but can cause significant discomfort.
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Hikers in northern Europe are advised to watch out for Vipera berus in grasslands and forests.
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Researchers studied the habitat preferences of Vipera berus in the wild.
Synonyms
2
8.0
A small venomous snake that lives in northern Europe and Asia
A small snake with a dark zigzag back and poison in its bite that lives in northern Europe and Asia
Surface Forms
Morphology
Vipera + berus
This is a Latin taxonomic name: 'Vipera' clearly signals the genus (viper), so a learner who knows the constituents could infer it denotes a kind of viper. However, 'berus' is not a meaningful English word and the specific species identity ('common European adder') cannot be deduced from the epithet alone, so the overall meaning is only partially predictable.
Etymology
Vipera berus is a scientific name made of two parts: vipera means 'viper', a snake with a dangerous bite, and the second word berus simply names this particular species. So the name tells you this is the common European adder.