Meaning of AMPHISBAENA
Pronunciation: | | `amfis'beenu
|
WordNet Dictionary |
|
| Definition: | |
- [n] type genus of the Amphisbaenidae
- [n] (classical mythology) a serpent with a head at each end of its body
|
|
| Sponsored Links: | |
|
|
| Synonyms: | | Amphisbaenia, genus Amphisbaena, genus Amphisbaenia |
|
| See Also: | | mythical creature, mythical monster, reptile genus, worm lizard | |
Webster's 1913 Dictionary |
|
| Definition: | | \Am`phis*b[ae]"na\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? on both
ends + ? to go.]
1. A fabled serpent with a head at each end, moving either
way. --Milton.
2. (Zo["o]l.) A genus of harmless lizards, serpentlike in
form, without legs, and with both ends so much alike that
they appear to have a head at each, and ability to move
either way. See Illustration in Appendix.
Note: The {Gordius aquaticus}, or hairworm, has been called
an {amphisb[ae]na}; but it belongs among the worms.
|
|
|
|