uraeus

noun

urae·​us yu̇-ˈrē-əs 

plural uraei yu̇-ˈrē-ˌī 

: a representation of the sacred asp (Naja haje) appearing in ancient Egyptian art and especially on the headdress of rulers and serving as a symbol of sovereignty

Illustration of uraeus

Examples of uraeus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

According to a press release the front side of the relief depicts the head of a figure wearing a uraeus, or a cobra crown, a symbol of a pharaoh, though the lower half of the face is missing. —Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 26 Mar. 2018

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Late Greek ouraios, a kind of snake

First Known Use

1832, in the meaning defined above