spitting cobra

noun

1. any cobra or cobralike snake, especially the ringhals, that sprays venom at the eyes of approaching animals.

Word History and Origins

Origin of spitting cobra¹

First recorded in 1905–10

Example Sentences

Scientists have discovered a groundbreaking new snakebite treatment to prevent the devastating tissue damage caused by African spitting cobra venom.

From Science Daily

The zoo is home to species including an African grey parrot, a vervet monkey, giant lizards known as Nile monitors, a desert tortoise, a horned viper snake and a Nubian spitting cobra.

From Seattle Times

They had been bitten by a highly venomous species of spitting cobra native to Mozambique.

From BBC

Instead, the escape artist turned out to be a type of spitting cobra native to Africa.

From Seattle Times

Forget about the arm for a minute, that implausibly strong, tensile, spitting cobra of an arm.

From Washington Post