‖ cerastes Zool.
(sɪˈræstɪz)
[L. cerastēs, a. Gr. κεράστης horned, a horned serpent, f. κέρας horn.]
A genus of venomous serpents found in Africa and some parts of Asia, having a projecting scale or ‘horn’ above each eye; the horned viper. Early and poetic uses are drawn vaguely from Pliny, and other ancient writers, who probably meant a species of the same genus.
| 1398 Trevisa Barth. De P.R. xviii. xxxi. 794 Cerastes is an hornid serpent. 1591 Sylvester Du Bartas i. vi. (1641) 51/1 Th' horned Cerastes, th' Alexandrian Skink. 1625 K. Long tr. Barclay's Argenis i. iii. 10 Like the new-horn'd Cerastes, violent. 1667 Milton P.L. x. 525 Cerastes hornd, Hydrus, and Ellops drear. a 1711 Ken Hymnoth. Wks. 1721 III. 20 As horn'd Cerastes wont to..watch for Mischief in a beaten Road. 1814 Cary Dante's Inf. ix. 42 Adders and cerastes crept Instead of hair, and their fierce temples bound. 1863 Wood Nat. Hist. iii. 107 The true Cerastes or Horned Viper is a native of Northern Africa. |