— viperish , adj. — viperishly , adv.
/vuy"peuhr/ , n.
1. any of several venomous Old World snakes of the genus Vipera, esp. V. berus, a small snake common in northern Eurasia.
2. any related snakes belonging to the family Viperidae, characterized by erectile, venom-conducting fangs.
3. See pit viper .
4. any of various venomous or supposedly venomous snakes.
5. a malignant or spiteful person.
6. a false or treacherous person.
7. ( cap. ) Mil. a 9-pound (4 kg), shoulder-launched, unguided U.S. Army antitank rocket with an effective range of 273 yds. (250 m).
8. to nourish a viper in one's bosom , to befriend a person who proves to be treacherous.
[ 1520-30; vipera, haplological var. of * vivipera, n. use of fem. of * viviper, later (as re-formation) viviparus VIVIPAROUS ]