Violone to Virtue
Violone
(||Vi`o*lo"ne) n. [It. violone, augment. of viola a viol. See Viol.] (Mus.) The largest instrument
of the bass-viol kind, having strings tuned an octave below those of the violoncello; the contrabasso; —
called also double bass. [Written also violono.]
Violous
(Vi"o*lous) a. Violent. [Obs.] J. Fletcher.
Violuric
(Vi`o*lu"ric) a. [Violet + barbituric.] (Chem.) Of, pertaining to, or designating, a complex nitroso
derivative of barbituric acid. It is obtained as a white or yellow crystalline substance, and forms characteristic
yellow, blue, and violet salts.
Viper
(Vi"per) n. [F. vipère, L. vipera, probably contr. fr. vivipera; vivus alive + parere to bring forth,
because it was believed to be the only serpent that brings forth living young. Cf. Quick, a., Parent,
Viviparous, Wivern, Weever.]
1. (Zoöl.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous makes belonging to Vipera, Clotho,
Daboia, and other genera of the family Viperidæ.
There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand.
Acts xxviii. 3. Among the best-known species are the European adder (Pelias berus), the European asp the African
horned viper and the Indian viper (Daboia Russellii).
2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
Who committed
To such a viper his most sacred trust
Of secrecy.
Milton. Horned viper. (Zoöl.) See Cerastes. — Red viper (Zoöl.), the copperhead. — Viper fish (Zoöl.), a
small, slender, phosphorescent deep-sea fish It has long ventral and dorsal fins, a large mouth, and very
long, sharp teeth. — Viper's bugloss (Bot.), a rough-leaved biennial herb (Echium vulgare) having
showy purplish blue flowers. It is sometimes cultivated, but has become a pestilent weed in fields from
New York to Virginia. Also called blue weed. — Viper's grass (Bot.), a perennial composite herb
(Scorzonera Hispanica) with narrow, entire leaves, and solitary heads of yellow flowers. The long, white,
carrot-shaped roots are used for food in Spain and some other countries. Called also viper grass.
Viperina
(||Vi`per*i"na) n. pl. (Zoöl.) See Viperoidea.
Viperine
(Vi"per*ine) a. [L. viperinus: cf. F. vipérin.] Of or pertaining to a viper or vipers; resembling a
viper.
Viperine snake. (Zoöl.) (a) Any venomous snake of the family Viperidæ. (b) A harmless snake resembling
a viper in form or color, esp. Tropidonotus viperinus, a small European species which resembles the
viper in color.
Viperish
(Vi"per*ish), a. Somewhat like a viper; viperous.
Viperoidea
(||Vi`per*oi"de*a Vi`per*oi"des) n. pl. [NL. See Viper, and -oid.] (Zoöl.) A division of serpents
which includes the true vipers of the Old World and the rattlesnakes and moccasin snakes of America; —
called also Viperina.
Viperous
(Vi"per*ous) a. Having the qualities of a viper; malignant; venomous; as, a viperous tongue.
"This viperous slander." Shak. — Vi"per*ous*ly, adv.
Viraginian
(Vi`ra*gin"i*an) a. Of or pertaining to a virago; having the qualities of a virago. Milton.
Viraginity
(Vi`ra*gin"i*ty) n. The qualities or characteristics of a virago.
