adder

Where does the word "adder" come from? It comes from Old English nǣdre, and was adopted directly into English (1300s).

Adder’s story begins in Old English: nǣdre meant “serpent.” Any serpent; the Old English Genesis calls the serpent in Eden a nǣdre (German Natter 'adder' is the same word). It reached English by 1300s as adder. 'a nadder' became 'an adder'; it now names Britain's only venomous snake, Vipera berus. Today, adder means a small venomous snake, the common European viper.

1. Stage 1 · Old English · medieval nǣdre "serpent", any serpent; the Old English Genesis calls the serpent in Eden a nǣdre (German Natter 'adder' is the same word).
2. Stage 2 · English · 1300s adder "venomous snake", 'a nadder' became 'an adder'; it now names Britain's only venomous snake, Vipera berus.