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Definition of night adder
night adder
Plural:night adders
night adder Lexical Profile
CEFR
C1
Grade
9
Tier
3
Usage
Rare
• noun
1
Any of several relatively small, mildly venomous African snakes of the genus Causus, known for a diet consisting primarily of frogs and toads and often found in damp habitats.
Example
"While surveying the wetlands at dusk, the herpetologist carefully documented a rhombic night adder hunting for amphibians near the water's edge."
Synonyms
View all synonyms for night adder• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
A compound of 'night' and 'adder', named for their perceived nocturnal hunting behavior, though many species in this genus are actually active during the day.
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Night adder. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 13, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/night adder