viper
viper
UK[ˈvaɪpə]US[ˈvaɪpər]
n
A venomous snake with large fangs, typically having a thick body and a zigzag pattern on its back.
n
A malicious or treacherous person.
Etymology
The word 'viper' entered English in the early 16th century from Old French 'vipere', which itself came from Latin 'vipera'. The Latin term is a contraction of the phrase 'vīvus parēns', meaning "living parent." This name reflects the ancient observation that some vipers give birth to live young, unlike many other snakes that lay eggs. The literal idea of a "living-bearing" creature evolved to specifically denote this family of venomous snakes. Over time, the term acquired a figurative sense in English to describe a person who is spiteful or dangerous, drawing on the snake's feared reputation.
Analysis
The word 'viper' is a simplex loanword from Latin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes using its modern English spelling.
Examples
The hiker was careful to avoid the viper coiled on the sunlit rock.
In the fable, the viper represents betrayal and ingratitude.
He warned his colleagues about the corporate viper spreading rumors to advance her career.