Adjacent Words

amphisbaena definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: (classical mythology) a serpent with a head at each end of its body
2: type genus of the Amphisbaenidae [syn: Amphisbaena, genus Amphisbaena, Amphisbaenia, genus Amphisbaenia]

Merriam Webster's

noun Etymology: Latin, from Greek amphisbaina, from amphis on both sides (from amphi around) + bainein to walk, go — more at by, come Date: 14th century a serpent in classical mythology having a head at each end and capable of moving in either direction • amphisbaenic adjective

Oxford Reference Dictionary

n. 1 Mythol. & poet. a fabulous serpent with a head at each end. 2 Zool. any burrowing wormlike lizard of the family Amphisbaena, having no apparent division of head from body making both ends look similar. Etymology: ME f. L f. Gk amphisbaina f. amphis both ways + baino go

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Amphisbaena 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.