death adder
English
Etymology
Sometimes suggested to derive from deaf adder, a colonial-era name for the snakes which referenced their tendency to remain in place (to ambush prey) rather than flee upon hearing human activity, but probably a simple reference to their venomousness.
Noun
death adder (plural death adders)
- A snake of the genus Acanthophis, a group of highly venomous elapids found in Australia and New Guinea.
- The copperhead, a venomous pit viper species Agkistrodon contortrix, found in North America.
- The eastern hognose snake, Lua error in Module:taxlink at line 68: Parameter "noshow" is not used by this template., a non-venomous colubrid species found in North America.
Derived terms
Translations
Acanthophis
|