fierce snake
fierce snake Lexical Profile
• noun
Australian A highly venomous elapid snake native to the semi-arid regions of central east Australia, recognized as having the most toxic venom of any terrestrial snake in the world; commonly known as the inland taipan.
"Despite its formidable name, the fierce snake is generally shy and prefers to escape rather than strike when encountered by humans in the outback."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term 'fierce snake' describes the extreme toxicity of the animal's venom rather than its temperament, which is actually relatively placid and reclusive compared to other venomous snakes.
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined to describe the staggering lethality of its venom, this is an alternative common name for the inland taipan (Oxyuranus microlepidotus), native to Australia.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.