amphisbaena

Noun
Synonyms: genus AmphisbaenaAmphisbaeniagenus Amphisbaenia

Open English WordNet

Noun (2)amphisbaenae

  1. type genus of the AmphisbaenidaeSynonyms: genus AmphisbaenaAmphisbaeniagenus AmphisbaeniaType of reptile genusMembers worm lizard
  2. (classical mythology) a serpent with a head at each end of its bodyType of mythical monster, mythical creature
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Webster's Dictionary (1913)

Am′phis·bæ′na (…), noun

Origin: L., fr. Gr. …; … on both ends + … to go.

1. A fabled serpent with a head at each end, moving either way. John Milton

2. Zoology 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.

☞ The Gordius aquaticus, or hairworm, has been called an amphisbaena; but it belongs among the worms.

Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54

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