fer-de-lance

[ fer-dl-ans, -ahns ]

noun

1. a large pit viper, Bothrops atrox, of tropical America.

fer-de-lance

/ ˌfɛədəˈlɑːns /

noun

1. a large highly venomous tropical American snake, Trimeresurus (or Bothops ) atrox , with a greyish-brown mottled coloration: family Crotalidae (pit vipers)

Word History and Origins

Origin of fer-de-lance¹

1875–80; < French: literally, spearhead

Word History and Origins

Origin of fer-de-lance¹

C19: from French, literally: iron (head) of a lance

Example Sentences

We carry our umbrellas aloft in spite of the shade, and, shuddering, secretly envy the one who saw the Fer de Lance.

From Project Gutenberg

My friends white face tells the story; it was the Fer de Lance.

From Project Gutenberg

But the Fer-de-lance, whose nearest home is in Guiana, is not likely to have come on board ship.

From Project Gutenberg

This is the terrible fer-de-lance whose bite is so much dreaded; but this serpent has never made its way into Porto Rico.

From Project Gutenberg

He is either a fer de lance or a first cousin to it, and either is a sort of creature to keep away from.

From Project Gutenberg