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vīpĕra , ae, f. contr. from vivipera, from vivus-pario, that brings forth living young,
I.a viper.
I. Lit.: Coluber berus, Linn.; Plin. 10, 62, 82, § 169.—
II. Transf.
A. Adder, snake, serpent, in gen., Prop. 4 (5), 7, 53; Verg. G. 3, 417; Hor. C. 3, 4, 17; id. Epod. 5, 15; 16, 52; Ov. M. 10, 24; id. R. Am. 421; id. A. A. 2, 376 al.—Prov.: “in sinu viperam habere,” Cic. Har. Resp. 24, 50: “viperam nutricare sub alā,” to nourish a viper in one's bosom, Petr. 77: vipera est in vepreculā, Pomp. ap. Non. p. 231, 13; v. veprecula.—
B. Viper! serpent! as a term of reproach for a dangerous person: “saevissima,” Juv. 6, 641: “tandem, vipera, sibilare desiste,” Flor. 4, 12, 37; cf. Don. Ter. Eun. 5, 1, 8.
A Latin Dictionary. Founded on Andrews' edition of Freund's Latin dictionary. revised, enlarged, and in great part rewritten by. Charlton T. Lewis, Ph.D. and. Charles Short, LL.D. Oxford. Clarendon Press. 1879.

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