the venomous snake, probably Naja haje (Egyptian cobra), that caused the death of Cleopatra and was formerly used by the Pharaohs as a symbol of their power over life and death
See also uraeus
2. Also called: asp viper
a viper, Vipera aspis, that occurs in S Europe and is very similar to but smaller than the adder
3. horned asp
Word origin
C15: from Latin aspis, from Greek
asp in British English2
(æsp)
noun
an archaic name for the aspen
Word origin
Old English æspe; related to Old Norse ösp, Old High German aspa
asp in American English1
(æsp)
noun
any of several small, poisonous snakes of Africa, Arabia, and Europe, as the horned viper, Egyptian cobra, or a European viper (Vipera aspis)
Word origin
ME < OFr aspe < L aspis < Gr; prob. < aspis, shield (in reference to the shape of the hood)
asp in American English2
(æsp)
noun
Archaic
an aspen
Examples of 'asp' in a sentence
asp
If I really did want to kill myself with an asp, I wouldn't be able to, because l wouldn't he able to afford an asp.
Lowry, Lois ANASTASIA KRUPNIK (3-IN-1) (2002)
One day we'll find at the bottom: one asp -- £3 9s 6d,' he said, and laughed at his own joke.
Robert Wilson THE COMPANY OF STRANGERS (2002)
Gwyneth, with a mother who had loved her and with a proper parentage, but endowed with the temperament of an asp.
Kathleen E. Woodiwiss THE WOLF AND THE DOVE (2002)