n.
Pronunciation: ' v ī -p ə r
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English vipere, from Latin vipera
Date: 15th century
1 a : a common Eurasian venomous snake ( Vipera berus ) that attains a length of about two feet (0.6 meter), varies in color from red, brown, or gray with dark markings to black, and is usually not fatal to humans broadly : any of a family (Viperidae) of venomous snakes that includes Old World snakes (subfamily Viperinae) and the pit vipers b : a venomous or reputedly venomous snake
2 : a vicious or treacherous person