Elapine
/ɪˈlæp.aɪn/noun
Relating to the elapids, a group of venomous snakes that includes cobras, coral snakes, and mambas.
Did you know?Elapine snakes include some of the world’s most feared venomous species, but the scientific name ultimately comes from an ancient Greek serpent term whose exact identity is uncertain.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
ἔλλοψ (éllops)
“A serpent or possibly a particular kind of snake; the exact animal referred to is uncertain.”
Classical Latin
Latin
Elaps
“A Latinized zoological name based on the Greek serpent term.”
18th Century
New Latin
Elaps
“A genus name used in scientific classification for venomous snakes.”
19th Century
New Latin
Elapidae / Elapinae
“Taxonomic names for the cobra-and-coral-snake family and its subgroups, formed from Elaps.”
Modern English
English
elapine
“Relating to elapids or to the elapine group of venomous snakes.”