A venomous snake, specifically a type of viper with a triangular head and distinctive markings.
Old English 'adder' (a snake) combined with 'bolt' (a projectile or strike), referring to the snake's quick, striking attack. The compound describes the snake's aggressive behavior.
Medieval people named this snake after its behavior—'bolt' meant the sudden strike of a crossbow, and they called the viper this because it struck with similar speed and deadliness.
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