adder
2
8.0
- noun
- /ˈædər/
- UK
:
víbora
- The wildlife documentary featured a segment on the common European adder, showcasing its hunting techniques.
- puff adder
- death adder
Examples
-
On her hike, she was careful to avoid stepping near an adder resting on the path.
-
I stuck a yellow-eyed puff adder in his bed.
Fiction book (1991) -
Ema's been bitten by a puff adder!
-
"It biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder."
-
I wouldn't want to see you step on a black mamba or a puff adder.
-
Asha recognized the arrowhead and spiny tail of death adders, serpents that had long ago cut a niche for themselves in the island's deranged ecology.
Fiction book (1995) -
He warned us about the danger of encountering an adder while walking through the tall grass.
Synonyms
41
7.2
A venomous snake with long hollow fangs that inject venom
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
Compounds
- South African
1
9.3
A large African snake that swells its body when threatened and has strong venom
A harmless tan and brown snake with an arrow-shaped spot on its head and sometimes red stripes
- Australian
A dangerous Australian snake with strong venom and a thick body that strikes quickly
- Indian
A venomous snake with black and yellow bands that moves slowly and avoids people
- US
A harmless tan and brown snake often with red stripes and an arrow spot on its head
- US
A harmless North American snake with a nose that points up that spreads its head or plays dead when scared
Surface Forms
Etymology
Adder for the snake comes from an old English word nædre that meant 'snake'. People once said 'a nadder' and this became 'an adder', which is why the common viper is called an adder.