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Definition of bitis

bitis

/ˈbaɪ.tɪs/
bi · tis
Plural:bitis
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bitis Lexical Profile

• noun

1

A taxonomic genus of highly venomous vipers native to Africa and the southern Arabian Peninsula, characterized by their heavy bodies, broad triangular heads, and tendency to inflate and hiss loudly when threatened.

Example

"The Gaboon viper, a prominent member of the Bitis genus, possesses the longest fangs and yields the highest venom dose of any venomous snake."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for bitis

• Rhymes for bitis

• Nearby Words

bitesize
biting
bitingly
bitis
bitmap
bitrate
bitsy

Word Origin & Etymology

Coined in 1842 by English zoologist John Edward Gray to designate a genus of venomous African vipers. The name is widely considered an arbitrary Latinized construction with no direct classical root.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Bitis. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 6, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/bitis
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