Fer-de-lance definition

fĕrdl-ăns, -äns

A large, poisonous pit viper (Bothrops atrox) found in tropical America.

noun

Any of several tropical American pit vipers of the genus Bothrops, typically having brown and grayish markings.

noun

Any of several tropical American pit vipers of the genus Bothrops, typically having brown and grayish markings.

noun

Bothrops lanceolatus or other lancehead snakes of genus Bothrops.

noun

Other Word Forms

Singular:

fer-de-lance

Plural:

fer-de-lances

French from fer de lance spearhead fer iron de of lance spear

From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition
French, the iron of a lance, spearhead.

From Wiktionary