death adder

noun — 3 senses

death adder

noun

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.

1

Any snake of the genus Acanthophis, a group of highly venomous elapids found in Australia and New Guinea.

2

A copperhead, a venomous pit viper species Agkistrodon contortrix, found in North America.

3

An eastern hognose snake, Heterodon platirhinos, a non-venomous colubrid species found in North America.

Derived terms
common death adder, desert death adder

Entry derived from the Wiktionary, under licence CC BY-SA 4.0 — list of authors.