mfesi, noun
/(ə)mˈfeːzi/, /əmˈfeːzi/
- Forms:
- Also m’fesi, m’fezi, and with initial capital.
- Origin:
- IsiZulu
The spitting cobra Naja nigricollis of the Elapidae. Also attributive.
- Note:
- In B. Branch’s Field Guide to Snakes & other Reptiles (1988), the name ‘black-necked spitting cobra’ is used for this species.
1955 P.A. Christensen S. Afr. Snake Venoms 81M’fesi venom is too difficult to obtain in South Africa to make large-scale production of specific antiserum a practical proposition.
1978 C.J. Reitz Poisonous S. Afr. Snakes 16The m’fezi is mainly nocturnal and prefers areas near water. Its bite is very dangerous...It is able to spit from virtually any position, not only from the reared-up position.
The spitting cobra Naja nigricollis of the Elapidae. Also attributive.
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