habu
habu Lexical Profile
habu Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large, highly venomous pit viper (Protobothrops flavoviridis) native to the Ryukyu Islands of Japan, characterized by a yellow-green body with dark blotches and a potent hemotoxic venom.
"While hiking in Okinawa, tourists are frequently warned to stay on the marked trails to avoid encountering a habu."
Any of several related venomous snakes found in East Asia and the Ryukyu Islands, such as the Sakishima habu or Hime habu, which are commonly found in both forested and agricultural areas.
"The local museum featured an extensive exhibit detailing the life cycle of the habu and its impact on the island's native ecosystem."
• Rhymes for habu
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Japanese 'habu', originating from the Okinawan language 'faabu', referring specifically to the venomous pit vipers native to the Ryukyu Islands.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.