# death adder

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. Any snake of the genus Acanthophis, a group of highly venomous elapids found in Australia and New Guinea.
2. A copperhead, a venomous pit viper species Agkistrodon contortrix, found in North America.
3. An eastern hognose snake, Heterodon platirhinos, a non-venomous colubrid species found in North America.

## Etymology
Sometimes suggested to derive from deaf adder, a colonial-era name for the snakes which referenced their tendency to remain in place (to ambush prey) rather than flee upon hearing human activity, but probably a simple reference to their venomousness.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/death-adder