puff-adder

A puff-adder lies coiled on a sunlit dirt path.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A venomous African snake: "puff-adder" refers to a large, thick-bodied, highly venomous snake (Bitis arietans) native to Africa and parts of the Arabian Peninsula. It is known for its habit of inflating its body and hissing loudly when threatened.

Usage Examples

• (A venomous snake species.)
• (A snake that is easily stepped on.)

Advanced Usage

• "puff-adder bite": the wound or injury caused by the snake's fangs.

  • A puff-adder bite requires immediate medical attention because its venom can cause severe tissue damage. (The result of an attack by this snake.)

• "puff-adder venom": the toxic substance produced by the snake.

  • Researchers study puff-adder venom to develop antivenom treatments. (The poison used for medical research.)

Variants and Related Words

• Puff-adder is the most common form; no common variants exist.
• Puff-adder-like (adj): resembling or characteristic of a puff-adder.
  • The snake's puff-adder-like markings made identification difficult. (Similar in appearance to this species.)

Synonyms

• Bitis arietans: the scientific name for the puff-adder.
• African puff-adder: a less common alternative name.

Related Idioms

• "to step on a puff-adder": to encounter a sudden, dangerous situation (figurative, informal).
  • He stepped on a puff-adder when he accidentally insulted the boss. (He provoked a serious problem unexpectedly.)

Phrasal Verbs

• None directly associated with "puff-adder," as it is a noun for a specific animal.