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# viper

noun (a viper, vipers)

«viper» in the English dictionary: everyday and in Jewish tradition — its meanings, how the lessons use it, and examples, each with its tree on Mova.

## Everyday

1. A viper is a kind of venomous snake with long fangs that fold back, such as the adder. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#m1)
2. (old-fashioned) A viper is a wicked, treacherous person who betrays others. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#m2)

### In the lessons

In science lessons, vipers include adders, rattlesnakes and puff adders; the adder is Britain's only venomous snake and is shy and protected. In safety, if bitten, stay calm, keep still and get medical help at once. In the Bible and old stories, a brood of vipers or a viper in the nest means a dangerous, deceitful person.

### Examples

- The adder is a kind of viper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#x1)
- Vipers have long fangs that fold back. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#x2)
- Rattlesnakes are vipers from America. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#x3)
- If a viper bites you, get help straight away. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#x4)
- In the story, the king's adviser was a viper. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#x5)
- A viper basked on the warm rocks. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#x6)
- While thus looking upwards, he unknowingly trod upon a Viper asleep just before his feet. [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/#x7)

### Note

Countable. Vipers are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous to eat. Do not confuse with a wiper (windscreen wiper). The cruel-person meaning is old-fashioned.

## In Jewish tradition

It means a poisonous snake. In the Bible it stands for deadly speech and treachery.

**Interpretation.** The tradition links poisonous snakes to evil speech, or lashon hara, which can hurt like a bite.

### Examples

- He shall suck the poison of asps; the viper's tongue shall slay him. (Writings JOB.20.16, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/viper/#x1)
- They have sharpened their tongue like a serpent; vipers' venom is under their lips. (Writings PSA.140.4, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/viper/#x2)
- They hatch basilisks' eggs, and weave the spider's web; he that eateth of their eggs dieth, and that which is crushed breaketh out into a viper. (Prophets ISA.59.5, JPS 1917) [tree →](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/viper/#x3)

### Note

Countable. Vipers are venomous (they inject venom), not poisonous to eat. Do not confuse with a wiper (windscreen wiper). The cruel-person meaning is old-fashioned.

## On Mova

- [Trees and pragmatics of «viper» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/school/V/viper/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«viper» in the school dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/school/w/viper.html) on Mova free.
- [Trees and pragmatics of «viper» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/dictionaries/judaism/V/viper/): every meaning and example parsed by Mova, with its dependency tree and frames.
- [«viper» in the Judaism dictionary](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/dictionaries/judaism/w/viper.html) on Mova free.