asp
- noun
- /æsp/
- Literature
- Egyptian asps are quite poisonous.
Examples
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Now, can't you imagine yourself as Cleopatra talking to an asp?
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But they shall feel the gall of asps within them!
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The asp is known for its lethal venom and is often depicted in ancient Egyptian art.
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In the story of Cleopatra, the asp symbolizes death and is famously associated with her demise.
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The bite of an asp can cause serious harm due to its potent toxins.
Synonyms
A large venomous African snake often shown on Pharaohs' crowns
A large venomous cobra from Africa often shown on ancient Egyptian crowns
A venomous snake like a horned viper found in southern Europe and North Africa
A small snake in southern Europe whose bite is dangerous
A venomous snake from southern Europe that is smaller than the common adder
A dangerous snake from India with a hood that can kill people
A very large venomous snake called the king cobra that lives in Southeast Asia
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
A venomous southern African snake that sprays venom at a threat, often to hit the eyes
Compounds
A very poisonous snake with a small horn above each eye from northern Africa and southwestern Asia
Surface Forms
Etymology
Asp comes from the old Greek word aspis, which meant 'shield' and was also the name for a venomous snake; the snake was a royal symbol in Egypt, so an asp today is the venomous snake often linked with ancient Egypt.