asp

¹

[ asp ]

noun

1. any of several venomous snakes, especially the Egyptian cobra or the horned viper.
2. Archaeology. uraeus.

asp

²

[ asp ]

noun

1. aspen.

Asp

³

abbreviation for

, Biochemistry.

1. aspartic acid.

ASP

⁴

abbreviation for

1. American selling price.
2. Computers. application service provider: a company that gives individuals or businesses access through the internet to specialized software applications and other computer-related services. Compare SaaS.

asp

¹

/ æsp /

noun

1. the venomous snake, probably Naja haje (Egyptian cobra), that caused the death of Cleopatra and was formerly used by the Pharaohs as a symbol of their power over life and death See also uraeus
2. Also calledasp viper a viper, Vipera aspis, that occurs in S Europe and is very similar to but smaller than the adder
3. horned asp
   another name for horned viper

asp

²

/ æsp /

noun

1. an archaic name for the aspen

Other Words From

• aspish adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of asp¹

1300–50; back formation from Middle English aspis (taken as plural) < Latin < Greek aspís originally, shield

Origin of asp²

before 900; Middle English aspe, apse, Old English æsp ( e ), æps ( e ); cognate with Middle Low German aspe, Old High German aspa ( German Espe, with altered vowel < Old High German adj. espîn ), Old Norse ǫsp; akin to Latvian apse, Russian osína, Czech osika < North European Indo-European *aps-. See aspen

Word History and Origins

Origin of asp¹

C15: from Latin aspis, from Greek

Origin of asp²

Old English æspe; related to Old Norse ösp, Old High German aspa

Example Sentences

The asps — not snakes, she quickly corrects — are allegedly defanged and thus safe for her latest showcase.

From Salon

Did she die by clasping an asp to her cleavage?

From Salon

Sourdi’s family shield carried the sign of the asp, a venomous snake, which in Latin is “anguis.”

From Washington Post

It wasn’t within easy reach, but maybe...A third idea slithered into her mind like a poisonous asp.

From Literature

Cleopatra, the queen of Egypt, poisoned herself with an asp, according to popular belief.

From The Guardian

Related Words

• cobra