adder etymology

Etymology:

  • Old English æddre, from Proto-Germanic addri-, from Proto-Indo-European h₂etʰ-ro-/h₂eḱʰ-ro-, meaning "poison."

Meaning:

A venomous snake, especially one of the Viperidae family.

Origin:

The word "adder" originally referred to the venomous snakes of the genus Vipera, which are found in Europe and Asia. These snakes are characterized by their short, stout bodies, triangular heads, and long, hinged fangs.

Over time, the term "adder" has come to be used more broadly to refer to any venomous snake, regardless of its genus or family. However, the term is still most commonly used to refer to European vipers.

Additional Notes:

  • The word "adder" is cognate with the words "ether" and "adze," which also derive from the Proto-Indo-European root h₂etʰ-ro-/h₂eḱʰ-ro-.
  • The term "adder" is often used in a figurative sense to refer to a treacherous or venomous person or thing.

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