water adder
English
Alternative forms
Etymology
From Middle English water addre, watyradyr, watir edyr, alteration (see adder) of water neddyr, watyrnedyre, from Old English wæternædre, wæternǣdre, equivalent to water + adder. Cognate with Dutch wateradder (“wateradder”), German Wassernatter (“watersnake”).
Noun
water adder (plural water adders)
- Any of several aquatic snakes (none of which are true adders) including, among others:
- The non-venomous European ringed snake or water snake, Natrix natrix.
- The venomous American cottonmouth, Agkistrodon piscivorus.
- The non-venomous American northern water snake,Nerodia sipedon
- The venomous South Asian crab-eating water snake, Fordonia leucobalia