A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)
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First published 2002 (DOST Vol. XI).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Viper, n. Also: wiper, vypera, veper. [e.m.E. viper (1526), vypar (1545), veper (1551), OF vipere, vipre, L. vīpera.] a. A viper or adder. b. In allusive use. Passing into c. fig. A venomous or spiteful person.a. a1400 Leg. S. xlv 258.
Twa serpentis he gert bryng on ane, That haspidis has to name, & als fellone vthyre twa, That to nam has vypera 1590 Burel Pilgr. i 165.
Thir vipers and cripers Amang the grene gars lay 1681 Colvil Whig's Suppl. (1681) i 25.
He knows … If the balm and franckincense keepers, By ratling, drive away the vipers Which with such ardour haunt those treesb. 1581 Hamilton Cath. Tr. in Cath. Tr. (STS) 98/7.
Luther, Caluene, and vther scismatiques … ar … also repugnant amang thame selfis sa that the laittest lauboris to distroy the eldest as the yung paddokkis the auld, and the venemous viperis thair motheris c1590 J. Stewart 227 § 109.
Ane diwelische dame … Did keip the keyis of this mischiwous nest; As vasp or viper laidlie vas hir lyre … To name scho hecht ingratitudec. 1581 Sat. P. xliv 183.
Louson the same inuisible vil pleid: He is thy fallou, fals veper maligne 1594 Charteris Wall. Pref. 169.
O tresonable tratoure, and maist monstrous viper … how culd it enter in thy hart, sa tressonablie to betray him 1638–9 Bk. Pasquils 64.
These trayells sifft thy wipers, kirk bred slaues, Woulffs cled in lambskins, basse deceauing knaues
