adder
- 01 B2 Upper Intermediate
a small poisonous snake, often with a dark zigzag pattern on its back.
the common European viper (Vipera berus), noted for being the only venomous snake native to Britain.
Simple“We saw a small adder sunning itself on a rock during our hike.”
In context“The adder is generally shy and will only strike if it feels cornered or is accidentally stepped on by a hiker.”
UsageIn North America, the term is sometimes applied to other non-venomous snakes like the milk snake.
Synonyms - 02 C1 Advanced
a person who adds numbers, or a machine or computer part that does addition.
a person who performs arithmetic addition, or a digital circuit that calculates the sum of numbers.
Simple“The computer uses a high-speed adder to process the math problems.”
In context“A full adder is a fundamental component of a central processing unit, capable of handling carry bits from previous operations.”
Synonyms - 03 C2 Proficiency
a person who has attention deficit disorder (ADD).
a person diagnosed with or exhibiting symptoms of attention deficit disorder.
Simple“As an adder, he finds it helpful to use a timer to stay focused on his work.”
In context“The support group provides a space for adders to share strategies for managing executive dysfunction in a professional environment.”
Teacher's tipThis is a niche slang term derived from the acronym ADD; it is not a standard medical term and may be confusing to those unfamiliar with neurodiversity slang.
“There is no organic matter left." He added: "Things like the snakes, adders, reptiles, they can not escape, so they will be destroyed.”
From Middle English nadder, addere, rebracketing of “a naddere” as “an addere”, from Old English nǣdre (“snake”), from Proto-West Germanic nadrā, from Proto-Germanic nadrǭ, from pre-Germanic néh₁treh₂, variant of Proto-Indo-European n̥h₁trih₂, from *(s)neh₁- (“to spin, twist”). See also West Frisian njirre, Dutch adder, German Natter, Otter; also Welsh neidr, Latin natrīx (“watersnake”), Dutch naaien.
From add + -er.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.