cerastes
cerastes Lexical Profile
• noun
A genus of small, venomous vipers native to the deserts and semi-deserts of northern Africa, Arabia, and Iran, commonly known as horned vipers due to the distinct horn-like scales above their eyes.
"The herpetologist carefully observed the cerastes as it buried itself in the loose Saharan sand with a sideways shuffling motion."
A legendary horned serpent described in classical antiquity and medieval bestiaries, reputed to have no spine and to hide beneath the sand with only its horns visible to ambush unsuspecting prey.
"In medieval lore, the cerastes was often depicted as a cunning, remarkably flexible serpent that used its prominent horns as a deceptive lure."
• Rhymes for cerastes
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
From Latin 'cerastes' (horned viper), derived from Ancient Greek 'kerástēs' (horned), from 'kéras' (horn).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.