elapid
1
9.7
- noun
- /ˈɛləpɪd/
- Specialized
:
elápido
- The king cobra is the largest member of the elapid family and is known for its potent venom.
Examples
-
Many elapids are found in tropical regions, such as the highly venomous coral snake.
-
Sea snakes are thought to have evolved from terrestrial elapids, which today include cobras, land kraits, coral snakes, and numerous other venomous species in Australia.
Academic text (2009) -
The forest is home to various elapids, including several species of cobras that are dangerous to humans.
Synonyms
427
1.0
A long animal without legs covered in scales that sometimes has poison
72
6.5
A large snake with scales that often appears in myths and stories
1
8.5
A snake like a cobra or mamba that has venom and uses fixed fangs to put it into other animals
Compounds
- Specialized
1
8.5
A snake like a cobra or mamba that has venom and uses fixed fangs to put it into other animals
Surface Forms
Morphology
elapid = Elapidae (opaque) = elap + id
The term is formed from the scientific family name Elapidae with a taxonomic suffix; the combining form 'elap-' is not a meaningful standalone English word for most learners.
Etymology
Elapid comes from the family name Elapidae, which comes from an old Greek word elaps meaning 'snake' or 'serpent'. So, an elapid is a snake of that family, usually a venomous one like a cobra or coral snake.