horned asp
- noun
- The horned asp is well known for the prominent horns above its eyes.
Examples
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Explorers in the Sahara are often warned about the horned asp and its potent venom.
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Have you ever seen a horned asp in the wild?
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A zoologist carefully studied the coloration patterns of the horned asp.
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The horned asp is a dangerous snake.
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Explorers in the Sahara are often warned about the horned asp and its potent venom.
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A zoologist carefully studied the coloration patterns of the horned asp.
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The horned asp is well known for the prominent horns above its eyes.
Synonyms
A poisonous snake from northern Africa and southwest Asia with a horn above each eye
A very venomous desert snake in North Africa and Southwest Asia with a horn above each eye
A highly venomous viper from northern Africa and southwestern Asia with a small horn above each eye
A desert snake with a horn above each eye that has dangerous venom
Surface Forms
Morphology
The noun phrase is directly compositional: 'horned' (having horns or horn-like projections) combined with 'asp' (a venomous snake) yields the meaning 'a snake with horn-like structures.' This descriptive, literal combination follows common compounding patterns and would be predictable to a learner who knows both constituents.
Etymology
The noun horned asp is a simple description: horned points to the hard little 'horns' above its eyes and asp is an old word for a venomous snake. So, the name means a venomous viper with small horn-like scales above its eyes.