Aspid
/ˈæs.pɪd/noun
A literary or historical term for a venomous snake, especially an asp.
Did you know?In classical and medieval texts, snake words like this were often loaded with symbolic danger, so “aspid” could evoke not just a reptile but a deadly omen.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
aspís
“A shield; later also a snake-name associated with the asp or viper”
Late Latin
Latin
aspis
“An asp, a venomous snake”
Old French
Old French
aspide
“An asp; a venomous serpent”
Middle English
English
aspide
“A venomous snake, especially an asp”
Modern English
English
aspid
“A literary word for an asp or venomous snake”