Definition

1. Noun:
   • A venomous snake of the genus Naja: A type of cobra, primarily found in Africa, known for its defensive behavior of ejecting or "spitting" its venom with considerable accuracy towards the eyes of a perceived threat.
   • Characteristic defensive behavior: The primary defining feature is its ability to project venom from its fangs, which can cause severe pain and temporary or permanent blindness if it contacts the eyes.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The guide warned us about the presence of the spitting cobra in the savanna.
  • A spitting cobra can accurately hit a target's eyes from over two meters away.
  • Unlike other cobras, the spitting cobra often uses its venom as a projectile.

Advanced Usage

• "to be like a spitting cobra": Used metaphorically to describe a person who reacts with sudden, fierce, and targeted verbal hostility.
  • When criticized, he became like a spitting cobra, firing insults at everyone in the room.

Variants and Related Words

• Cobra (n): The general family of venomous snakes, of which the spitting cobra is a specific type.
• Naja nigricollis (n): The scientific name for the black-necked spitting cobra, a common species.
• Venom-spitting (adj): Describing the act or capability of spitting venom.

Synonyms

• Ringhals (n): Another name for the hemachatus haemachatus, or rinkhals, a spitting cobra species from southern Africa.
• Projectile-venom snake (n): A descriptive, non-scientific synonym.

Related Phrases

• To spit venom: An idiom meaning to speak with extreme malice or hatred. While derived from the snake's behavior, this phrase is used independently.
  • During the debate, the candidate seemed to spit venom at his opponent.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to cobras with the physiological adaptation to "spit" venom. It is not a general term for any cobra that might occasionally eject venom.
• The behavior is purely defensive, not used for hunting prey. The snake typically aims for the eyes to blind and disorient the threat, allowing it to escape.

Noun

1. aggressive cobra widely distributed in Africa; rarely bites but spits venom that may cause blindness