vipern.
/ˈvʌɪpə/, U.S. /ˈvaɪpər/ 1. figurative and in extended use.1535 G. Joye Apol. Tindale 24 Ar not these the venomouse tethe of vepers that thus gnawe a nother mannis name?1555 R. Eden tr. Peter Martyr of Angleria Decades of Newe Worlde iii. xi. f. 157v These blind and swalowyng sandes, the Spaniardes caule vypers: And that by good reason, bycause in them many shyppes are entangled.1609 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida iii. i. 129 Hot bloud hot thoughts and hot deedes, why they are vipers, is loue a generation of vipers? View more context for this quotation1713 D. Waterland Serm. Assizes Cambr. 13 Special care therefore must be taken to find out this lurking Viper [sc. pride] in our Bosoms, and to cast it far from us.1819 W. Scott Ivanhoe II. xiii. 227 Then comes remorse with all its vipers, mixed with vain regrets for the past.
a. The small ovo-viviparous snake Pelias berus (formerly Coluber berus or Vipera communis), abundant in Europe and the only venomous snake found in Great Britain; the adder; in general use, any venomous, dangerous, or repulsive snake or serpent.The flesh of the viper was formerly regarded as possessing great nutritive or restorative properties, and was frequently used medicinally.
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the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > [noun] > member of (snake) > group of venomous snakes > venomous snake
deaf addereOE
adderOE
aspidec1000
shadow-addera1382
chelydre1393
tyre1471
viper1526
seps?1527
aspic1530
thirsty snake1567
aspworm1587
cheliderect?1590
viper-worm1605
palmer-serpent1608
polonga1681
asp1710
thirst-serpent1731
venom-snake1845
thanatophidian1891
solenoglyph1913
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Viperidae (vipers) > genus Vipera > vipera berus (common viper)
adderOE
boske addre1382
blind-wormc1450
hagworm?c1475
colubrec1480
viper1526
long-worm1578
viper-worm1605
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Acts xxviii. 3 When Paul had gaddered a boundle of stickes, And putt them into the fyre, a viper (be cause off the heet) creept out.
1542 H. Brinkelow Lamentacion sig. Dviiv The vypar aboue all other..serpentes is most fullest of poyson.
1551 W. Turner Herball (1568) i. B v Garlyke..helpeth the bytyng of a veper.
1583 R. Greene Mamillia i. f. 19v The Elephant being enuenomed with the Viper, eateth him vp, and is healed.
1616 J. Bullokar Eng. Expositor Viper, a venemous serpent in some hot countries lying much in the earth, hauing a short taile, which grateth and maketh a noise as he goeth.
1634 H. Peacham Compl. Gentleman (new ed.) xii. 109 Some mortals also are knowne by their cognisances, as..Cleopatra by a viper.
1697 J. Dryden tr. Virgil Georgics iii, in tr. Virgil Wks. 115 With that rank Odour from thy dwelling Place To drive the Viper's brood, and all the venom'd Race. View more context for this quotation
1750 tr. C. Leonardus Mirror of Stones 65 The proper virtue of the Sicilian is, to subdue the poison of vipers.
1769 T. Pennant Brit. Zool. (new ed.) III. vi. 17 Vipers are found in many parts of this island.
1803 W. Bingley Animal Biogr. III. 88 The Viper is the only one either of the Reptile or Serpent tribes, in Great Britain, from whose bite we have any thing to fear.
1857 G. Borrow Romany Rye II. ix. 334 The duty of the true critic is to play the part of a leech, and not of a viper.
b. Zoology. Applied with distinctive premodifiers to other species of the genus Vipera, the sub-order Viperina, or snakes resembling the common viper.For horned, pit, red, sand, water, yellow viper, see those terms.
ΚΠ
1737 Dr. Mortimer in Philos. Trans. 1735–6 (Royal Soc.) 39 254 Vipera fusca: the brown Viper in Virginia. In Carolina it is called the Truncheon-Snake.
1743 M. Catesby Nat. Hist. Carolina (1771) II. 44 The Black Viper..is short and thick, of slow motion.
1743 M. Catesby Nat. Hist. Carolina (1771) II. 45 The Brown Viper..is..in length about two feet, and large in proportion.
1778 Encycl. Brit. III. 2096/1 The Vipera, or common viper of the shops... It is a native of Egypt, and other warm countries.
1802 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. III. ii. 377 Egyptian Viper.
1802 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. III. ii. 382 Swedish Viper.
1834 H. McMurtrie tr. G. Cuvier Animal Kingdom (abridged ed.) 185 Vip[era] brachyura, Cuv. (The Minute Viper.)
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 347/2 Variegated Viper—that described by Mr. Bell from Hornsey Wood.
1845 Encycl. Metrop. XXV. 1099–1101 [Various species].
1861 R. T. Hulme tr. C. H. Moquin-Tandon Elements Med. Zool. ii. v. i. 250 The Vipera Berus (Daud) or Small Viper (Coluber Ammodytes, Linn.).
1881 Daily News 28 Dec. 3/2 About three weeks ago the nose-horned viper..distinguished herself by presenting the Gardens at one fell swoop with six-and-forty viperlings.
c. Zoology. One or other of the snakes belonging to the genus Vipera, of which the common viper is the type, or to the family Viperidæ.The vipers were formerly classified (following Linnæus) under the order Coluber, from which they are now separated (cf. quot. 1834). The Viperidæ form one of the four families into which the suborder Viperina (or Solenoglypha) is now divided.
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the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Viperidae (vipers) > member of
addereOE
wyverc1374
viper1802
viperine1887
viperid1909
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Viperidae (vipers) > genus Vipera > member of
addereOE
ammodyte1608
asp1710
truncheon-snake1737
viper1802
1802 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. III. ii. 364 The species [of Coluber] differ greatly in size and habit, according to their respective tribes; some, as the Vipers, having large, flattish, and sub~cordate heads, with rather short than long bodies and tails.
1834 H. McMurtrie tr. G. Cuvier Animal Kingdom (abridged ed.) 185 The vipers, most of which were confounded with the Colubers by Linnæus, on account of their double sub-caudal plates, require to be separated from them from the circumstance of their having poisonous fangs.
c1882 Cassell's Nat. Hist. IV. 311 The Vipers (Viperidæ)..have a large broad head, a vertical and long pupil in the eye, and the top of the head is covered with very little plates and scales.
2. figurative. A venomous, malignant, or spiteful person; a villain or scoundrel.In some quots. the influence of sense 3 is perceptible.
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the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > ill-will > person of ill-will > [noun]
foea1393
atterlingc1450
basilisk1477
ill-willerc1500
attercop1508
viper1591
ill-wisher1607
malevolent1609
malevolo1648
1526 Bible (Tyndale) Matt. iii. f. iijv He sayde vnto them: O generacion of vipers, who hath taught you to fle from the vengeaunce to come?]
1591 R. Greene Notable Discouery of Coosenage f. 9 These villainous vipers, vnworthy the name of men, base Roges..being out-casts from God, vipers of the world.
1613 J. Taylor True Cause Watermens Suit in Wks. (1630) 173 I will regard such Vipers and their slander so little, that their malice [etc.].
a1616 W. Shakespeare Coriolanus (1623) iii. i. 263 Where is this Viper, That would depopulate the city, & be euery man himself?
1644 J. Vicars Jehovah-jireh 149 That most mischievous Viper of our Church & State too, Mathew Wren Bp. of Elie.
1693 J. Dryden tr. Juvenal in J. Dryden et al. tr. Juvenal Satires vi. 121 I, (she confesses,) in the Fact was caught; Two Sons dispatching, at one deadly Draught. What Two, Two Sons, thou Viper, in one day?
1819 P. B. Shelley Cenci i. iii. 19 Cen... (To Beatrice). Thou painted viper! Beast that thou art! Fair and yet terrible!
1832 S. Warren Passages from Diary of Late Physician II. ii. 88 ‘Cannot this infamous scoundrel be brought to justice?’ I inquired. ‘If he were, he may prove, perhaps, not worth powder and shot, the viper!’
1846 A. Marsh Father Darcy II. iv. 85 ‘What a generation of vipers!’ thought he, ‘what a hydra brood of oppressors!’
1850 J. B. Marsden Hist. Early Puritans (1853) 403 The seditious carriage of some vipers of the lower house.
3. In other figurative or allusive uses:† a. In allusion to the supposition that the female viper was killed by her young eating their way out at birth. Obsolete.Cf. Pliny Nat. Hist. x. lxii. 82.
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the world > the supernatural > supernatural being > mythical creature or object > [noun] > mythical types of serpent (miscellaneous)
siren1340
dipsas1382
haemorrhoida1398
prestera1398
bloodworm1587
viper1602
dryine1605
dipsad1608
lindworm1814
lingworm1870
rainbow serpent1926
1602 B. Jonson Poetaster v. iii. sig. M Out Viper; thou that eat'st thy Parents, hence. View more context for this quotation
1609 W. Shakespeare Pericles i. 107 I am no Viper, yet I feed On mothers flesh which did me breed. View more context for this quotation
b. In allusion to the fable of the viper reared or revived in a person's bosom: One who betrays or is false to those who have supported or nourished him; a false or treacherous person. Cf. snake n. 2a.Partly after the similar Latin uses in sinu viperam habere (Cicero) and viperam nutricare sub ala (Petronius).
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the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > ill will, malevolence > [noun] > person or thing displaying
devilOE
hatelc1175
fiendc1220
hellhoundc1340
foea1393
atterlingc1450
basilisk1477
ill-willerc1500
attercop1508
malign1536
ettercapa1583
demon1591
viper1596
dragon1600
ill-wisher1607
malevolent1609
malevolo1648
society > morality > duty or obligation > recognition of duty > undutifulness > treachery > [noun] > treacherous person
swikec1000
adderOE
traitor?c1225
Scariotc1380
murdererc1390
Judasc1405
proditor1436
cuckoo1581
Sinon1581
treachetour1590
viper1596
serpent1600
snakea1616
tradenta1626
Iscariot1647
dog1846
double-crosser1888
two-timer1927
1596 Raigne of Edward III sig. A4v Regenerate Traytor, viper to the place, Where thou was fostred in thine infancy.
a1688 Bp. S. Parker in H. Coleridge Biogr. Borealis (1833) 45 Tenderness and indulgence to such men, were to nourish vipers in our bowels.
1689 Muses Farew. to Popery 28 Ev'n thy Royal Patron was not spar'd..O strange return to a forgiving King, But the warm'd Viper wears the greatest Sting.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones VI. xviii. viii. 239 He is the Brother of that wicked Viper which I have so long nourished in my Bosom. View more context for this quotation
a1822 P. B. Shelley Charles I ii, in Wks. (1870) II. 383 Mark the consequence of warming This brood of northern vipers in your bosom.
1911 T. W. Riker Henry Fox I. iii. 164 The Newcastles had been in terror lest they had raised a viper in their midst.
4. One who smokes marijuana or opium, esp. habitually. Also, a heroin addict. Now rare.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > [noun] > drug-user > by smoking > habitual
viper1938
the world > physical sensation > use of drugs and poison > drug addiction or craving > [noun] > drug addict > addicted to morphia or heroin
morphinomaniac1887
morphiomaniac1888
morphomaniac1893
morphinist1894
heroin addict1904
needle1936
viper1938
smackhead1967
1938 M. Berger in New Yorker 12 Mar. 36/1 They play special recordings of viper, or weed, songs with weird ritualistic themes.
1938 M. Berger in New Yorker 12 Mar. 36/1 I was not a viper, which is the Harlem word for a marijuana smoker.
1943 I. Lang Background of Blues 21 The addict is a ‘viper’ who ‘likes to smoke’ or ‘climbs the bush’.
1956 D. Webb Line-up for Crime iv. 69 Three good shots of heroin and you're a viper for life. A viper is an addict.
1959 J. M. Murtagh & S. Harris Who live in Shadow (1960) i. iv. 54 They said I wasn't just a viper but also scumpteen of a pusher.
1977 Canadian 8 Jan. 15/1 He wrote that song in the late Thirties, back when people who smoked marijuana used to be called vipers.
Compounds
C1. attributive and in other combinations.
a. Combinations, as viper-curled, viper-green, viper-haunted, viper-headed, viper-mouthed, viper-nourished adjs.; viper-catcher, viper-hunter, viper-hunting.
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the world > matter > colour > named colours > green or greenness > [adjective] > other greens
beech-greenc1450
viper-greenc1602
sap-green1658
pea-green1752
leaf-green1810
lettuce green1834
Kendal green1866
jade-green1868
pistachio1875
lizard-green1897
mango1991
c1602 C. Marlowe tr. Ovid Elegies iii. xi. sig. Fv Our verse great Tityus a huge space out-spreads, And giues the viper curled Dogge three heads.
1607 E. Topsell Hist. Foure-footed Beastes 526 If it happen that..any man chaunce to light vpon these Viper-nourished-blinde-Dormise.
1702 R. Mead Mech. Acct. Poisons i. 29 Our Viper-Catchers have a Remedy,..in which They do place..great Confidence.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VII. 199 The seeming rashness of one Tozzi, a viper-catcher.
1802 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. III. ii. 465 Viper-headed snake. Coluber Viperinus.
1804 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. V. i. 120 Viper-mouthed Pike. Esox Stomias.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 349/1 In England these reptiles were caught with a cleft or forked stick, which the viper-catcher drove down immediately behind the head.
1851 G. Borrow Lavengro iv When a person is timid in viper~hunting he had better leave off.
1851 G. Borrow Lavengro iv Besides being a viper-hunter, I am what they call a herbalist.
1904 W. M. Gallichan Fishing & Trav. Spain 102 These viper-haunted spots.
1958 L. Durrell Mountolive xvi. 300 Among the thickets of reed and sedge, in places polished to black or viper-green by the occasional clinging frosts, you could hear the chuckling..of..duck.
1976 Star (Sheffield) 3 Dec. 25/9 (advt.) 1975 (N) VW Passat 1300... Attractively finished in viper green.
b. Simple attributive, as viper bite, viper fat, viper flesh, viper group, viper kind, viper oil, viper spirit, viper virus.
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the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > spitefulness > [adjective]
teenfulOE
atteryc1175
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
maliceful1522
envyful1530
viperinec1540
viperous?1542
vipered1560
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1674
viper1721
vipereal1750
viperish1755
vicious1825
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bitchy1928
1721 N. Bailey Universal Etymol. Eng. Dict. Viperous, of the Viper kind or belonging to Adders.
1753 J. Bartlet Gentleman's Farriery Index Viper bite, how to be treated.
1767 B. Gooch Pract. Treat. Wounds I. 199 Viper oil or fat, which shou'd be fresh, is a sovereign remedy against the stinging of bees..and other venomous insects.
1776 G. White Let. 29 Apr. in Nat. Hist. Selborne (1789) 210 This little fry [of fifteen vipers] issued into the world with the true viper-spirit about them.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 349/1 Pliny, Galen, and others praise the efficacy of viper flesh in the cure of ulcers [etc.].
1870 P. Gillmore tr. L. Figuier Reptiles & Birds ii. 88 Such are the terrible weapons of the Viper group.
1891 D. Jordan On Surrey Hills 61 Viper-oil..you would find in all the woodmen's cottages.
1894 Daily News 8 Feb. 5/4 By heating some viper virus at a temperature of 85 degrees Centigrade.
c. With intensive force (passing in later use into adjective), = Venomous, extremely bitter, viperous.
ΚΠ
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vi. 194 Yorke and Lancaster, Ambitious broachers of that Viper-Warre.
1605 J. Sylvester Sonnets upon Miraculous Peace in tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. 594 All the tempests of our viper-Warre.
1793 R. Burns Poems (ed. 2) II. 183 Scorpion-Critics [MS Viper-critics] cureless venom dart.
1876 E. M. Thompson Chron. A. de Usk 221 The viper race of Lombardy, split up into Guelphs and Ghibellines.
1899 B. Harraden Fowler 75 I can't abide the little viper man.
1899 B. Harraden Fowler 83 He don't like that little viper gentleman any more than I.
C2.
a. Special combinations. † viper-mouth n. Obsolete (see quot. and cf. viper-fish n. above).† viper-stone n. Obsolete = serpentine n. 3.† viper-worm n. Obsolete = 1.
viper-broth n. broth made from vipers, or in which a viper has been boiled, formerly supposed to possess nutritive or invigorating properties.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > dishes and prepared food > soup or pottage > gruel or broth for invalids > [noun]
gruel1362
water gruel?c1450
cullisc1460
chicken brothc1540
coulis1603
barley-milk1607
maize-cream1626
chicken water1684
barley-cream1694
thin gruel1699
viper-broth1702
wangracea1733
barley-gruel1769
beef-tea1783
conjee1789
Revalenta1848
skink1880
toast-water1905
1702 R. Mead Mech. Acct. Poisons i. 34 The Patient ought to eat frequently of Viper Gelly, or Broth.
1707 J. Floyer Physician's Pulse-watch 327 Hunted Venison, Stale Meats, Viper Broths, or Wine.
1732 J. Arbuthnot Pract. Rules of Diet iii. 309 Viper-Broth is both anti-acid and nourishing.
1843 Penny Cycl. XXVI. 349/1 The lingering belief in the wonderfully invigorating qualities of ‘viper broth’ is not yet quite extinct in some places.
viper-fish n. a deep-sea fish of the family Chauliodontidæ, esp. Chauliodus sloani ( Cent. Dict. 1891).
viper-gourd n. an East Indian climbing gourd, Trichosanthes colubrina, remarkable for its ugliness ( Treasury Bot. 1866).
viper-grass n. = viper's grass; also attributive.
ΚΠ
1656 J. Smith Compl. Pract. Physick 238 Topicals must be Specifical Resolvers, as Viper-grasse.
1711 C. Cleve tr. A. Cowley Of Plants iii, in A. Cowley Wks. III. 347 Viper-grass, full of a milky Juice Good against Poison.
1757 A. Cooper Compl. Distiller iii. xv. 170 Of Viper-grass ten Ounces.
1771 Encycl. Brit. III. 102/2 A decoction made of barley,..viper-grass root, and liquorice.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 232 Wall Viper-grass.
1796 W. Withering Arrangem. Brit. Plants (ed. 3) II. 232 Common Viper-grass.
1863 R. C. A. Prior On Pop. Names Brit. Plants 234 Viper-grass,..Scorzonera edulis.
Thesaurus »
Categories »
viper-jelly n. (cf.viper-broth n.).
ΚΠ
1743 M. Catesby Nat. Hist. Carolina (1771) II. 119 Vipera Marina, the Viper-Mouth. This Fish is eighteen inches in length.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > minerals > types of mineral > silicates > phyllosilicate > [noun] > serpentine
serpentine1426
ophite1592
serpentine stone1662
viper-stone1741
serpent-stone1757
ophiolite1824
the world > the earth > structure of the earth > constituent materials > rock > metamorphic rock > [noun] > marble > serpentine
ophitesa1398
serpentine1426
ophite1592
serpentine marble1601
serpentine stone1662
viper-stone1741
verd-antique1745
verde antico1753
serpent-stone1757
ophiolite1824
ophicalcite1866
1741 Philos. Trans. 1737–8 (Royal Soc.) 40 442 Speaking of the Serpentine or Viper-Stone, he relates a very extraordinary Accident.
viper-weever n. the lesser weever, Trachinus vipera.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > fish > superorder Acanthopterygii (spiny fins) > order Perciformes (perches) > [noun] > suborder Trachinoidei > member of family Trachinidae (weever) > lesser
sting-fish1836
viper-weever1863
stang1880
stangster1880
stony cobbler1880
shoemaker1904
1863 J. Couch Hist. Fishes Brit. Islands II. 48 The Viper Weever, however, is common on most of the shores of Britain and Ireland.
viper-wine n. wine medicated by an extract or decoction obtained from vipers, formerly drunk on account of its supposed restorative or vitalizing properties.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > wine > types of wine > [noun] > medicinal wine
viper-wine1631
mandrake winea1640
wine whey1769
mandragora1844
tonic wine1899
Sanatogen1924
the world > health and disease > healing > medicines or physic > medicines for specific purpose > restoratives, tonics, or stimulants > [noun] > restorative > specific
Hungarian1600
viper-wine1631
Hungary water1697
1631 F. Quarles Hist. Samson 59 Their Viper-wines, to make old age presume To feele new lust, and youthfull flames agin.
a1640 P. Massinger Beleeue as you List (1976) iv. i. 27 Your viper wine soe much in practise with gray bearded gallants [is] but vappa to the nectar of her lippe.
1745 E. Haywood Female Spectator No. 12 (1748) II. 292 Lady Frolick pouring a glass of viper wine down his throat.
1802 G. Shaw Gen. Zool. III. ii. 372 Galen..relates very remarkable cures of this disease [sc. elephantiasis] performed by means of viper wine.
1896 Academy 28 Nov. 448/3 The legend that Lady Digby died of drinking viper-wine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > [noun] > member of (snake) > group of venomous snakes > venomous snake
deaf addereOE
adderOE
aspidec1000
shadow-addera1382
chelydre1393
tyre1471
viper1526
seps?1527
aspic1530
thirsty snake1567
aspworm1587
cheliderect?1590
viper-worm1605
palmer-serpent1608
polonga1681
asp1710
thirst-serpent1731
venom-snake1845
thanatophidian1891
solenoglyph1913
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [noun] > family Viperidae (vipers) > genus Vipera > vipera berus (common viper)
adderOE
boske addre1382
blind-wormc1450
hagworm?c1475
colubrec1480
viper1526
long-worm1578
viper-worm1605
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Deuine Weekes & Wks. i. vi. 168 Th' innammel'd Scorpion, and the Viper-worme.
1605 J. Sylvester tr. G. de S. Du Bartas Triumph of Faith in tr. Deuine Weekes & Wks. 571 The deadly sting of th' vgly Viper-worme.
b. Special collocations with viper's, forming names of plants.† viper's herb n. Obsolete viper's bugloss.
viper's bugloss n. the plant Echium vulgare or a variety of this.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Boraginaceae (bugloss and allies) > [noun]
ribeOE
hound's-tonguec1000
ox-tonguea1325
rotheren tongue?a1350
buglossa1400
dog's tongue?a1425
lungwort1538
anchusa1548
sheep's tongue1552
cowslip of Jerusalem1578
Our Lady's milkwort1578
pulmonaria1578
sage of Jerusalem1578
wild comfrey1578
maiden-lips1589
bugloss cowslip1597
viper's bugloss1597
viper's herb1597
ribbie1607
lithospermon1646
wall bugloss1650
lady's glove1668
Venus's navelwort1678
spotted comfrey1688
cynogloss1705
Jerusalem sage1736
lawn1778
Mertensia1836
stickseed1843
Virginian cowslip1856
bluebell1858
gooseberry fool1858
Jerusalem cowslip1866
borage-wort1882
echium1883
rose noble1886
milksile-
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 658 Vipers Buglosse, or wall Buglosse.
1678 E. Phillips New World of Words (new ed.) Vipers Buglosse, a Solar herb, the roots and seeds whereof are Cordial and Expellers of Melancholy.
1698 J. Petiver in Philos. Trans. (Royal Soc.) 20 402 In Texture very much resembling our Vipers Bugloss.
1777 E. Jacob Plantæ Favershamienses 33 Echium anglicum, English Viper's Bugloss. Echium vulgare, Viper's Bugloss.
1840 Florist's Jrnl. Aug. 106 A flinty soil nourishes the Three-leaved Speedwell and the Viper's Bugloss.
1869 J. Ruskin Queen of Air §87 It [the serpent spirit] enters into the forget-me-not, and the star of heavenly turquoise is corrupted into the viper's bugloss.
viper's grass n. a plant of the genus Scorzonera, esp. S. hispanica.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Compositae (composite plants) > [noun] > scorzonera
senecio1562
scorzoner1597
viper's grass1597
scorzonera1629
Spanish viper's grass1852
viper's plant1884
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular vegetables > [noun] > root vegetables > black salsify
scorzoner1597
viper's grass1597
scorzonera1629
black salsify1699
vegetable oyster1806
Spanish viper's grass1852
viper's plant1884
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 596 There be diuers sorts of plants conteined vnder the title of Viperaria, Scorzonera, or Vipers grasse.
1629 J. Parkinson Paradisi in Sole 301 This Spanish Vipers grasse hath diuers long, and somewhat broad leaues.
1629 J. Parkinson Paradisi in Sole 301 This purple flowred Vipers grasse hath long and narrow leaues.
1718 J. Ozell tr. J. Pitton de Tournefort Voy. Levant I. 174 A Flower of an inch and half diameter, yellow, like that of the common Vipers-grass.
1842 J. B. Fraser Mesopot. & Assyria xv. 359 East of Mosul, a species of vipers'-grass..abounds, and affords a plentiful nutriment.
1855 ‘E. S. Delamer’ Kitchen Garden 32 Scorzonera, Viper's-Grass, or Spanish Salsify.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Boraginaceae (bugloss and allies) > [noun]
ribeOE
hound's-tonguec1000
ox-tonguea1325
rotheren tongue?a1350
buglossa1400
dog's tongue?a1425
lungwort1538
anchusa1548
sheep's tongue1552
cowslip of Jerusalem1578
Our Lady's milkwort1578
pulmonaria1578
sage of Jerusalem1578
wild comfrey1578
maiden-lips1589
bugloss cowslip1597
viper's bugloss1597
viper's herb1597
ribbie1607
lithospermon1646
wall bugloss1650
lady's glove1668
Venus's navelwort1678
spotted comfrey1688
cynogloss1705
Jerusalem sage1736
lawn1778
Mertensia1836
stickseed1843
Virginian cowslip1856
bluebell1858
gooseberry fool1858
Jerusalem cowslip1866
borage-wort1882
echium1883
rose noble1886
milksile-
1597 J. Gerard Herball ii. 659 It is called..in English vipers Buglosse, Snakes Buglosse, and of some vipers herbe, and wilde Buglosse the lesser.
viper's plant n. viper's grass.
ΘΚΠ
the world > plants > particular plants > plants and herbs > according to family > Compositae (composite plants) > [noun] > scorzonera
senecio1562
scorzoner1597
viper's grass1597
scorzonera1629
Spanish viper's grass1852
viper's plant1884
the world > plants > particular plants > cultivated or valued plants > particular food plant or plant product > particular vegetables > [noun] > root vegetables > black salsify
scorzoner1597
viper's grass1597
scorzonera1629
black salsify1699
vegetable oyster1806
Spanish viper's grass1852
viper's plant1884
1884 tr. de Candolle's Orig. Cultivated Pl. 45 Scorzonera hispanica..was formerly supposed to be an antidote against the bite of adders, and was sometimes called the viper's plant.
Derivatives
ˈviper v. intransitive to have an effect like that of a viper's venom.
ΚΠ
a1953 D. Thomas Under Milk Wood (1954) 63 Mr Pugh..mixes especially for Mrs Pugh a venomous porridge unknown to toxicologists which will scald and viper through her.
ˈviperan adj. of or pertaining to a viper; viperine, viperous.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > spitefulness > [adjective]
teenfulOE
atteryc1175
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
maliceful1522
envyful1530
viperinec1540
viperous?1542
vipered1560
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1674
viper1721
vipereal1750
viperish1755
vicious1825
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bitchy1928
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [adjective]
loathOE
teenfulOE
nithefulOE
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venomousa1340
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
unkindlya1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
envyful1530
viperous1535
viperinec1540
vipered1560
bad-minded1588
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
toothsome1601
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
ill-meaning1633
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1668
cat-witted1672
vipereal1750
viperish1755
méchant1813
vicious1825
maliceful1840
mean1841
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bad mind1904
bitchy1908
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [adjective] > of or relating to family Viperidae > of or relating to viper
viperous1535
vipered1560
viperine1608
vipereousc1620
vipereal1750
viperian1866
viperan1877
1877 T. De W. Talmage Serm. 338 The acid of a soured life, the viperan sting of a bitter memory.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > spitefulness > [adjective]
teenfulOE
atteryc1175
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
maliceful1522
envyful1530
viperinec1540
viperous?1542
vipered1560
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1674
viper1721
vipereal1750
viperish1755
vicious1825
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bitchy1928
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [adjective]
loathOE
teenfulOE
nithefulOE
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venomousa1340
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
unkindlya1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
envyful1530
viperous1535
viperinec1540
vipered1560
bad-minded1588
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
toothsome1601
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
ill-meaning1633
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1668
cat-witted1672
vipereal1750
viperish1755
méchant1813
vicious1825
maliceful1840
mean1841
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bad mind1904
bitchy1908
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [adjective] > of or relating to family Viperidae > of or relating to viper
viperous1535
vipered1560
viperine1608
vipereousc1620
vipereal1750
viperian1866
viperan1877
1750 Philos. Trans. 1748 (Royal Soc.) 45 662 Hence perhaps the vipereal Venom..may derive its Force.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > spitefulness > [adjective]
teenfulOE
atteryc1175
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
maliceful1522
envyful1530
viperinec1540
viperous?1542
vipered1560
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1674
viper1721
vipereal1750
viperish1755
vicious1825
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bitchy1928
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [adjective]
loathOE
teenfulOE
nithefulOE
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venomousa1340
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
unkindlya1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
envyful1530
viperous1535
viperinec1540
vipered1560
bad-minded1588
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
toothsome1601
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
ill-meaning1633
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1668
cat-witted1672
vipereal1750
viperish1755
méchant1813
vicious1825
maliceful1840
mean1841
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bad mind1904
bitchy1908
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [adjective] > of or relating to family Viperidae > of or relating to viper
viperous1535
vipered1560
viperine1608
vipereousc1620
vipereal1750
viperian1866
viperan1877
1560 Fitzwilliam Let. in J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1863) VIII. 16 There was not under the sun a more craftier vipered undermining generation.
viˈperian adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > harmfulness > spitefulness > [adjective]
teenfulOE
atteryc1175
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
maliceful1522
envyful1530
viperinec1540
viperous?1542
vipered1560
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1674
viper1721
vipereal1750
viperish1755
vicious1825
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bitchy1928
the world > action or operation > behaviour > bad behaviour > unkindness > spite, malice > [adjective]
loathOE
teenfulOE
nithefulOE
ondfula1200
maliciousa1250
doggedc1300
enviousc1330
venomousa1340
venoma1350
spitous?a1366
despitousc1374
heinous?a1400
unkindlya1400
venomyc1400
sinister1411
sputousc1420
doggish?a1425
cankered?a1439
doggya1450
sinistrous1460
spity1481
despiteful1488
spiteful1490
despiteous?1510
viperious?1510
peevisha1522
envyful1530
viperous1535
viperinec1540
vipered1560
bad-minded1588
uncanny1596
dogged-sprighted1600
toothsome1601
maliced1602
ill-minded1611
virulent1613
ill-hearteda1617
doleful1617
spitish1627
ill-meaning1633
splenial1641
litherlya1643
venomsome1660
slim1668
cat-witted1672
vipereal1750
viperish1755
méchant1813
vicious1825
maliceful1840
mean1841
waspish1855
viperian1866
viperan1877
cattish1883
catty1886
bad mind1904
bitchy1908
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [adjective] > of or relating to family Viperidae > of or relating to viper
viperous1535
vipered1560
viperine1608
vipereousc1620
vipereal1750
viperian1866
viperan1877
1866 J. B. Rose tr. Ovid Metamorphoses 115 And Perseus triumphant homeward brings Viperian spoils.
viˈperiform adj. having the form of a viper; viperine.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > reptiles > order Squamata (lizards and snakes) > suborder Ophidia (snakes) > types of snake > [adjective] > of or relating to family Viperidae > resembling a viper
viperinec1540
viperish1863
viperiformc1882
viper-like1888
c1882 Cassell's Nat. Hist. IV. 301 The poisonous Snakes are divided into two groups—the Viperi~form Snakes and the Venomous Colubrines.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1917; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.1526- in a sense
- in a shake
- in a shaughraun
- in a shiver
- in a shoal
- in a similar way
- in a slow hurry
- in a slump
- in a small voice
- in a small way
- in a snap
- in a sniff
- in a snit
- in a sort
- in a sort kind of way
- in a sort of sorta way
- in a sort of way
- in a spot
- in a square
- in a stare
- in a state
- in a steep
- in a style
- in a succession
- in a sudden