cobra

Most cobras are members of the highly venomous snake genus, Naja (family Elapidae); six species are recognized, all African except for the Asiatic c.; typical behavior includes spreading of the neck (hood), rearing one-third of the body off of the ground, and, in some species, the spitting of venom, which is primarily neurotoxic. There are also cobras that belong to the genera Pseudohaje, Hemachatus, and Ophiophagus. [Port. snake, from L. coluber, snake]

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co·bra 'kō-brə n

1) any of several very venomous Asian and African elapid snakes of the genera Naja and Ophiophagus that when excited expand the skin of the neck into a broad hood by movement of the anterior ribs see INDIAN COBRA, KING COBRA

2) either of two African snakes that spit their venom from a distance:

a) BLACK-NECKED COBRA

b) RINGHALS

3) MAMBA

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co·bra (koґbrə) [Port. cobra de capello snake with a hood, from L. coluber snake] any of several extremely poisonous elapid snakes of the large genus Naja and smaller genus Ophiophagus, commonly found in Africa, Asia, and India. They are capable of expanding the neck region to form a hood, and have two comparatively short, erect, deep grooved fangs. A serum obtained from animals inoculated with cobra venom is used in counteracting the effects of the venom. See table at snake.