asp viper
- noun
- UK
:
víbora aspa
- The asp viper inhabits rocky hillsides in southern France and Italy.
Examples
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Hikers are advised to watch for the asp viper during the warm summer months.
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Despite its small size, the asp viper has a potent venom.
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The asp viper is known for its potent venom.
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Have you ever seen an asp viper in the wild?
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Hikers are advised to watch for the asp viper during the warm summer months.
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Despite its small size, the asp viper has a potent venom.
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The asp viper inhabits rocky hillsides in southern France and Italy.
Synonyms
52
2.3
A large venomous snake that spreads the skin on its neck into a hood when threatened
41
7.2
A venomous snake with long hollow fangs that inject venom
4
8.8
A venomous snake often linked with ancient Egypt and Cleopatra
2
8.0
A small venomous snake that lives in northern Europe and Asia
1
9.9
A poisonous snake from northern Africa and southwest Asia with a horn above each eye
1
9.3
A large African snake that swells its body when threatened and has strong venom
A venomous snake from southern Europe that is smaller than the common adder
A group of venomous snakes with small horns found in parts of Europe and Africa
A venomous snake like a horned viper found in southern Europe and North Africa
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
A very poisonous Australian snake that hides to catch small animals and uses its tail like bait
A group of very venomous snakes from Australia called death adders
A highly venomous viper from northern Africa and southwestern Asia with a small horn above each eye
A very poisonous snake with a small horn above each eye from northern Africa and southwestern Asia
A large African snake with venom that inflates its body when threatened
A large heavy venomous snake from West Africa with long fangs and patterned skin
A dangerous snake from India with a hood that can kill people
A venomous southern African snake that sprays venom at a threat, often to hit the eyes
A venomous African snake with bright red and black bands that lives in dry savanna
A small snake from southern Africa that lives in trees and has black and orange bands
Surface Forms
Morphology
Both constituents denote venomous snakes, so a B1 learner who knows 'asp' and 'viper' can infer this is a kind or name of viper (a venomous snake). The noun–noun naming pattern for species is compositional and common cross-linguistically, making the overall meaning directly derivable from the parts.
Etymology
Asp viper gets its name from two old words for dangerous snakes: asp, the snake made famous by the story of Cleopatra, and viper, a word for a venomous snake. That's why the name points to a small, 'venomous' snake.