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Glite Dictionary
gaboon viper

gaboon viper

9.9
A large heavy venomous snake from West Africa with long fangs and patterned skin
  • noun
  • /ɡəˈbuːn ˈvaɪpər/
  • UK
translation icon : víbora gabonesa

Examples

  • The bird flies over linked diamond designs that suggest the earth or the skin of the Gaboon viper.

    Academic text (2001)

  • The Gaboon viper is known for its striking patterns and potent venom, making it one of the most fascinating snakes in West Africa.

  • While hiking in the rainforest, we spotted a Gaboon viper coiled among the leaves, showcasing its vibrant colors.

  • The Gaboon viper, with its hefty body and distinctive markings, is a magnificent example of West Africa's wildlife.

Synonyms

viper
vsgaboon viper
41 7.2

A venomous snake with long hollow fangs that inject venom

refers to one large West African species rather than the whole family
Bitis gabonica
vsgaboon viper
  • Specialized
9.9

A large heavy snake from West Africa with bright patterns and strong venom

is the common English name for the species rather than the Latin form

Surface Forms

gaboon viper singular
gaboon vipers plural

Morphology

gaboon + viper

This is a straightforward noun compound where 'gaboon' functions as a modifier of 'viper', so the phrase denotes a particular kind/kind of viper; knowing 'viper' (a venomous snake) and treating 'gaboon' as a name or origin allows learners to infer it is a specific large venomous snake. The modifier+animal composition is cross-linguistically common and thus immediately comprehensible to a B1 learner who knows the constituent words.

Etymology

Gaboon viper comes from the West African country 'Gabon' and the word viper, which means a venomous snake. Picture a heavy, patterned snake from Gabon with very long fangs, and that image explains why the name refers to a large, dangerous snake from that region.