any of several venomous Old World snakes of the genus Vipera, especially V. berus, a small snake common in northern Eurasia.
any related snakes belonging to the family Viperidae, characterized by erectile, venom-conducting fangs.
pit viper.
any of various venomous or supposedly venomous snakes.
a malignant or spiteful person.
a false or treacherous person.
(initial capital letter)Military. a 9-pound (4-kilogram), shoulder-launched, unguided U.S. Army antitank rocket with an effective range of 273 yards (250 meters).
Idioms for viper
to nourish a viper in one's bosom, to befriend a person who proves to be treacherous.
Origin of viper
First recorded in 1520–30; from Latin vīpera, variant of unattested vīvipera, noun use of feminine of unattested vīviper, later (as re-formation) vīviparus “bringing form live young”; see vivi-, -parous
Oberyn “Red Viper” Martell (Pedro Pascal) Dies: Season 4, Episode 8: “The Mountain and the Viper” Dios mio.
Life After ‘Game of Thrones’ Death: Where to See Your Favorite Dead Characters Next|Marlow Stern|June 18, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Of the actual duel between the Mountain and the Viper, judging its accuracy is no easy matter.
The ‘GOT’ Red Viper and Mountain Duel, and a History of Medieval Trial by Combat|Steven Isaac|June 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
“I want to bring those who have wronged me to justice,” said the Viper to Tyrion in the previous episode.
Game of Thrones’ ‘The Mountain and the Viper’ Recap: Trial by Combat and Inigo Montoya’s Revenge|Marlow Stern|June 2, 2014|DAILY BEAST
A spring is compressed before it's released; the viper coils before it strikes.
Game of Thrones’ Season 4 Premiere ‘Two Swords’: Valyrian Steel, Arya’s Revenge, and the Red Viper|Andrew Romano|April 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Harold, you see, was always what they used to call "a viper."
The Stacks: Harold Conrad Was Many Things, But He Was Never, Ever Dull|Mark Jacobson|March 8, 2014|DAILY BEAST
He cast a viper's glance at the man who had unmasked him, and seized him fiercely by the arm.
The Gold-Seekers|Gustave Aimard
Of this kind is the only snake to be found in England except the viper.
The Animal World, A Book of Natural History|Theodore Wood
How such a viper came to warm itself on the bishop's hearth no one could say.
The Bishop's Secret|Fergus Hume
He was a viper warmed in the bosom of the Court, and stung it to the full extent of his opportunity and powers.
Lord Chatham|Archibald Phillip Primrose Rosebery
"That little poisonous Indian viper," she said aloud, attributing Aaron's mood to the doctor.
Aaron's Rod|D. H. Lawrence
British Dictionary definitions for viper
viper
/ (ˈvaɪpə) /
noun
any venomous Old World snake of the family Viperidae, esp any of the genus Vipera (the adder and related forms), having hollow fangs in the upper jaw that are used to inject venom
any of various other snakes, such as the horned viper
See pit viper
a malicious or treacherous person
Derived forms of viper
viper-like, adjective
Word Origin for viper
C16: from Latin vīpera, perhaps from vīvus living + parere to bear, referring to a tradition that the viper was viviparous