viper etymology

Etymology

The word "viper" comes from the Latin word "vipera", which is derived from the Proto-Indo-European root "*wī̆p-", meaning "to tremble, writhe".

Meaning

A viper is a venomous snake belonging to the family Viperidae. Vipers have a wide, triangular head, a thick, stocky body, and a short, blunt tail. They are characterized by their hinged fangs, which they use to inject venom into their prey.

Origin

The earliest known vipers date back to the Eocene epoch, around 56 million years ago. They are believed to have evolved from a common ancestor with elapid snakes, which includes cobras and mambas. Vipers are found in a wide range of habitats across the world, from deserts to rainforests.

viper relate terms

  • adder

    Etymology Old English æddre from Proto Germanic addri from Proto Indo European h₂

  • apron

    Etymology Middle English napron from Old French naperon napron diminutive of nape

  • auger

    Etymology The word auger originates from the Old French word augier or augor whic

  • nickname

    Etymology The word nickname is derived from the Middle English phrase an eke name wh

  • orange

    Etymology Late Middle English as an adjective from Old French orenge from orenge f

  • aitchbone

    Etymology h is an apocope of the aitch is a variant of haunch from the Old Eng

  • umpire

    Etymology The word umpire has its origins in Old French where it was spelled oumpere

  • pit viper

    Etymology The term pit viper comes from two roots Pit Refers to the heat sensiti

  • viper

    Etymology The word viper comes from the Latin word vipera which is derived from the

  • echidna

    Etymology The word echidna comes from the Ancient Greek word ἐχῖδνα ekhídna

  • present

    Etymology Present derives from Old French present from Latin praesens being befor

  • dread

    Etymology Old English drædan to fear to be afraid Proto Germanic drad to fear

  • snake

    Etymology Old English snaca Proto Germanic snakô Proto Indo European sneh₂ǵ Me

  • sneak

    Etymology of Sneak The word sneak originates from the Middle English term sneke wh

  • nation

    Etymology The word nation originates from the Latin word natio which means birth

  • badminton

    Etymology The term badminton is believed to have originated from the name of a country

  • cool

    Etymology The word cool has an interesting etymology that traces back to the Old Englis