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pit viper |
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viper /vi·per/ (vi´per) any venomous snake, especially any member of the families Viperidae (true vipers) and Crotalidae (pit vipers). European viper Vipera berus, a venomous snake native to Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. Gaboon viper Bitis gabonica, a deadly, brightly marked, viperine snake found in tropical West Africa. pit viper crotalid (1). rhinoceros viper Bitis nasicornis, a venomous, brightly colored, viperine snake found in tropical Africa, having a pair of hornlike growths on its snout. Russell's viper Vipera russelli, an extremely venomous, brightly colored, viperine snake of southeastern Asia and Indonesia. sand viper Vipera ammodytes, a venomous snake found in southern Europe and Turkey that has a hornlike protuberance on its snout for burrowing. true viper any of the snakes of the family Viperidae. pit viper Etymology: AS, pytt + L, vipera, snake any one of a family of venomous snakes found in the Western Hemisphere and Asia, characterized by a heat-sensitive pit between the eye and nostril on each side of the head and hollow perforated fangs that are usually folded back in the roof of the mouth. With the exception of coral snakes, all indigenous poisonous snakes in the United States are pit vipers. See also copperhead, cottonmouth, rattlesnake. pit 1. a hollow fovea or indentation. 2. a pockmark. 3. to indent, or to become and remain for a few minutes indented, by pressure. 4. seed of a fruit, e.g. cherry. Strictly refers to the hard woody coating which surrounds the seed. anal pit the proctodeum of the embryo. auditory pit a distinct depression in each auditory placode, marking the beginning of the embryonic development of the internal ear. pit bull a term used in describing various types of dogs used in past times for fighting in pits. Now, usually refers to the specific breed, american pit bull terrier. lens pit a pitlike depression in the fetal head where the lens develops. nasal pit a depression appearing in the olfactory placodes in the early stages of development of the nose. Called also olfactory pit. olfactory pit see nasal pit (above). otic pit early stage in the development of the embryonic inner ear. pit pony pony used in a mine to haul mined rock. Breed varies as long as it is small, e.g. Shetland pony. pit of stomach the epigastric fossa or epigastric region. pit viper see viper. How to thank TFD for its existence? Tell a friend about us, add a link to this page, add the site to iGoogle, or visit webmaster's page for free fun content. |
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