Definition

Noun: 1. The Egyptian cobra: A species of venomous snake (Naja haje) native to North Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. It is a large cobra known for its potent neurotoxic venom and its significant role in the iconography and mythology of ancient Egypt.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The naja haje is easily identified by its broad, flattened hood.
  • Ancient Egyptian artifacts often depict the naja haje on the crowns of pharaohs.
  • A bite from a naja haje requires immediate medical attention due to the potency of its venom.

Advanced Usage

• In historical/archaeological context: The term is used specifically to refer to the cobra species associated with ancient Egyptian civilization, distinguishing it from other cobra species like the Indian cobra ().
  • The uraeus, a stylized representation of the Naja haje, was a symbol of sovereignty worn by deities and rulers.

Variants and Related Words

• Egyptian cobra: The common English name for .
• Asp: A historical term sometimes used to refer to this snake, particularly in classical and biblical contexts, though it can be ambiguous.
• Uraeus: The stylized, upright form of an Egyptian cobra used as a symbol of royalty and divine authority.

Synonyms

• Egyptian cobra

Related Phrases

• The uraeus: This is not a phrasal verb but a key related noun phrase. It refers specifically to the sacred cobra emblem in Egyptian art.
  • The golden mask of Tutankhamun features a magnificent uraeus on the forehead.

Related Idioms

(This specific zoological term is not commonly used in idiomatic expressions. Its significance is primarily zoological and historical.)

Noun

1. cobra used by the Pharaohs as a symbol of their power over life and death