scorzonera hispanica

2 definitions found

scorzonera hispanica - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  viper \vi"per\ (v[imac]"p[~e]r), n. [F. vip[`e]re, L. vipera,
     probably contr. fr. vivipera; vivus alive + parere to bring
     forth, because it was believed to be the only serpent that
     brings forth living young. Cf. Quick, a., Parent,
     Viviparous, Wivern, Weever.]
     [1913 Webster]
     1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Old World venomous
        snakes belonging to Vipera, Clotho, Daboia, and
        other genera of the family Viperidae.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              There came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on
              his hand.                             --Acts xxviii.
                                                    3.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: Among the best-known species are the European adder
           (Pelias berus), the European asp (Vipera aspis),
           the African horned viper (Vipera cerastes), and the
           Indian viper (Daboia Russellii).
           [1913 Webster]
  
     2. A dangerous, treacherous, or malignant person.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              Who committed
              To such a viper his most sacred trust
              Of secrecy.                           --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. Loosely, any venomous or presumed venomous snake.
        [PJC]
  
     Horned viper. (Zool.) See Cerastes.
  
     Red viper (Zool.), the copperhead.
  
     Viper fish (Zool.), a small, slender, phosphorescent
        deep-sea fish (Chauliodus Sloanii). It has long ventral
        and dorsal fins, a large mouth, and very long, sharp
        teeth.
  
     Viper's bugloss (Bot.), a rough-leaved biennial herb
        (Echium vulgare) having showy purplish blue flowers. It
        is sometimes cultivated, but has become a pestilent weed
        in fields from New York to Virginia. Also called blue  weed
        .
  
     Viper's grass (Bot.), a perennial composite herb
        (Scorzonera Hispanica) with narrow, entire leaves, and
        solitary heads of yellow flowers. The long, white,
        carrot-shaped roots are used for food in Spain and some
        other countries. Called also viper grass.
        [1913 Webster]

scorzonera hispanica - WordNet (r) 2.1 (2005) :

  Scorzonera hispanica
      n 1: perennial south European herb having narrow entire leaves
           and solitary yellow flower heads and long black edible
           roots shaped like carrots [syn: black salsify, viper's grass
           , scorzonera, Scorzonera hispanica]