Definition

Noun: 1. A venomous snake species: The Indian cobra (Naja naja) is a highly venomous snake species native to the Indian subcontinent and parts of Southeast Asia. It is characterized by its iconic hood, which it spreads when threatened.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The Indian cobra is one of the "big four" snake species responsible for the most snakebite incidents in South Asia.
  • Snake charmers have historically performed with the Indian cobra, though this practice is now widely discouraged.
  • The venom of an Indian cobra is a potent neurotoxin that can cause paralysis.

Advanced Usage

• Scientific/Formal Context: In biological and herpetological contexts, the term is used precisely to refer to the species , distinguishing it from other cobra species like the monocled cobra or the king cobra.
  • The study focused on the geographic distribution of the Indian cobra.

Variants and Related Words

• Spectacled cobra (n): A common name for the Indian cobra, derived from the spectacle-like marking on the back of its hood.
• Naja naja (n): The scientific binomial name for the species.
• Cobra (n): The general term for venomous snakes of the genus , known for their ability to spread a hood.

Synonyms

• Spectacled cobra: (Direct synonym referencing the same species)
• Asian cobra: (A broader regional synonym, though less specific)

Related Phrases

• "Big four" snakes: A collective term in South Asia for the four snake species (Indian cobra, common krait, Russell's viper, and saw-scaled viper) responsible for the majority of serious snakebites. The Indian cobra is a member of this group.

Noun

1. a cobra of tropical Africa and Asia