[ˈkɒbrə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- a highly venomous African or Asian snake that spreads the skin of its neck into a hood when disturbed

- a yoga pose assumed by lying on one's stomach and raising one's upper body so as to curve it backwards, using one's arms and hands for support
(e.g: as you do the cobra, make sure you are not overextending the lower back)


Phrases:

Origin:
mid 17th century: from Portuguese cobra de capello, literally ‘snake with hood’, based on Latin colubra ‘snake’

[ˈkɒbrə], (Noun)

Definitions:
- (in the UK) a government committee that is specially convened as a result of a major emergency in order to coordinate the response of the various government departments and agencies responsible for handling the situation
(e.g: another meeting of the emergency COBRA committee will be held today to discuss how to tackle the floods)


Phrases:

Origin:
from the initial letters of Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms, the place in Whitehall where the committees meet, with COBRA standing specifically for Cabinet Office Briefing Room A