Cobra

Part of speech: noun

Pronunciation: /ˈkəʊbɹə/

Definitions

1. A type of venomous snake known for its ability to expand its neck, often found in Africa and Asia, as well as a symbol of danger and intelligence in various cultures
2. This particular snake, recognized by its hooded appearance and potent venom, is often associated with snake charming and natural ecosystems
3. A highly adaptable and agile reptile, belonging to the family Elapidae, that uses its striking appearance as both a defense mechanism and for predation

Etymology: The English "cobra" is a Portuguese loan, and the Portuguese word itself descends from the Latin "colubra," which meant "a female snake." Portuguese explorers in India picked up the term there, using it for the hooded snake whose neck flares into a broad hood when threatened. The Latin root, from "coluber" (snake), is the same ancestor behind English "colubrine," the adjective for snakes in the family that includes many harmless species. The English form simply shortened the Portuguese name for the snake, so the word arrived with the colonial encounter rather than through the older classical route that gave English its snake vocabulary. Its Latin ancestor shows up in only one part of English, while the modern word spread through the names of Asian and African snakes that share the hood display.