salamander
NounOpen English WordNet
Noun (3)
- any of various typically terrestrial amphibians that resemble lizards and that return to water only to breedType of amphibianKinds dicamptodon, European fire salamander, olympic salamander, newt, olm, mud puppy, hellbender, alpine salamander, amphiuma, siren +11 more
- reptilian creature supposed to live in fireType of mythical monster, mythical creature
- fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fireSynonyms: pokerstove pokerfire hookType of fire iron
What does it mean? Question 1 of today’s quiz
Webster's Dictionary (1913)
Origin: F. salamandre, L. salamandra, Gr. …; cf. Per. samander, samandel.
1. Zoology Any one of numerous species of Urodela, belonging to Salamandra, Amblystoma, Plethodon, and various allied genera, especially those that are more or less terrestrial in their habits.
☞ The salamanders have, like lizards, an elongated body, four feet, and a long tail, but are destitute of scales. They are true Amphibia, related to the frogs. Formerly, it was a superstition that the salamander could live in fire without harm, and even extinguish it by the natural coldness of its body.
I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years.— William Shakespeare
Whereas it is commonly said that a salamander extinguisheth fire, we have found by experience that on hot coals, it dieth immediately.— Sir Thomas Browne
2. Zoology The pouched gopher (Geomys tuza) of the Southern United States.
3. A culinary utensil of metal with a plate or disk which is heated, and held over pastry, etc., to brown it.
4. A large poker. dialect (England) James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps
5. Metallurgy Solidified material in a furnace hearth.
Giant salamander. Zoology See under Giant. — Salamander's hair or Salamander's wool Mineralogy, a species of asbestos or mineral flax. obsolete Francis, Baron Verulam Bacon
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913), from GCIDE 0.54