You searched for: “asp
asp (s) (noun), asps (pl)
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".
This entry is located in the following unit: English Words in Action, Group A (page 6)