Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Amphisbaena
‖
Amˊphis-bæ′na
,Noun.
[L., fr. Gr. [GREEK]; [GREEK] on both ends + [GREEK] to go.]
1.
A fabled serpent with a head at each end, moving either way.
Milton.
2.
(Zool.)
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. Definition 2024
Amphisbaena
Amphisbaena
See also: amphisbaena and amphisbæna
Translingual
Amphisbaena fuliginosa (type species)
Proper noun
Amphisbaena f
- A taxonomic genus within the family Amphisbaenidae – worm lizards.
Hypernyms
- (genus): Tetrapoda - superclass, Reptilia - class, Diapsida - subclass, Lepidosauromorpha - infraclass, Lepidosauria - superorder, Squamata - order, Amphisbaenia - suborder, Amphisbaenidae - family
Hyponyms
- (genus): Amphisbaena fuliginosa - type species; for other species see
Amphisbaena on Wikispecies.Wikispecies or 
Amphisbaena (lizard) on Wikipedia.Wikipedia .
amphisbaena
amphisbaena
See also: Amphisbaena and amphisbæna
English
Alternative forms
Noun
amphisbaena (plural amphisbaenas)
- (mythology) A mythical serpent having a head at each end of its body, able to move in either direction.
- 1971: What do you call that animal that goes backward and forward, head at each end? —Amphisbaena. A kind of lizard. It doesn't exist. — Anthony Burgess, M/F (Penguin 2004, p. 109)
- A genus of lizards, native to the Americas, having extremities which are very similar.
Translations
mythical serpent having a head at each end of its body
|
any of the genus Amphisbaena of legless lizards
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