1. Any of several poisonous snakes of Egypt, Africa, and Europe and connecting countries whose bite is usually fatal or kills those who are bitten: An asp, or a cobra, was used by the Pharaohs of Egypt as a symbol of their power over life and death.

It is believed by some that Cleopatra was bitten several times by an asp when she committed suicide.

2. Etymology: from old French aspe, "asp"; or directly from Latin aspidem, aspis which came from Greek aspis, "an asp, a snake".