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Definition of spectacled cobra
spectacled cobra
Plural:spectacled cobras
• noun
1
A highly venomous elapid snake native to the Indian subcontinent, characterized by an expansible hood bearing a prominent, U-shaped mark resembling a pair of spectacles.
Example
"The spectacled cobra is deeply revered in Indian mythology and plays a significant role in the region's agricultural ecosystem by controlling rodent populations."
Word Nuance & Usage
Often referred to synonymously as the Indian cobra, it is easily distinguished from the monocled cobra by the U-shaped, spectacle-like pattern on its hood rather than a single ring.
• Nearby Words
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.
180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer
Cite this Entry
Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Spectacled cobra. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/spectacled-cobra