Obs. [ad. med.L. tirus (Du Cange), tyrus, of uncertain origin. So OF. tir, tyr, thire.] The name of an alleged venomous snake of Syria and Arabia.
1471. Ripley, Comp. Alch., III. ix., in Ashm., Theatr. Chem. Brit. (1652), 141. Thys Water ys lyke to the venemous Tyre, Wherewyth the myghty Tryacle ys wrought.
1608. Topsell, Serpents (1658), 792. Or the Tyre. There be some which have confounded this Serpent with the Viper, and taken them both to be but one kinde, or at least the Tyre to be a kinde of Viper, because the Arabians call a Viper Thiron. Ibid. This Tyre is called in Latine Tyrus and Tyria, and also among the Arabians … Eosmari, and Alpfahex.
