Definify.com
Webster 1913 Edition
Basilisk
Bas′i-lisk
,Noun.
[L.
basiliscus
, Gr. βασιλίσκοσ
little king, kind of serpent, dim. of βασιλεύσ
king; – so named from some prominences on the head resembling a crown.] 1.
A fabulous serpent, or dragon. The ancients alleged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath, and even its look, was fatal. See
Cockatrice
. Make me not sighted like the
basilisk
. Shakespeare
2.
(Zool.)
A lizard of the genus
Basiliscus
, belonging to the family Iguanidæ
. ☞ This genus is remarkable for a membranous bag rising above the occiput, which can be filled with air at pleasure; also for an elevated crest along the back, that can be raised or depressed at will.
3.
(Mil.)
A large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size.
[Obs.]
Webster 1828 Edition
Basilisk
BAS'ILISK
,Noun.
1.
A fabulous serpent, called a cockatrice, and said to be produced from a cock's egg brooded by a serpent. The ancients alledged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath and even its look was fatal. Some writers suppose that a real serpent exists under this name.2.
In military affairs, a large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size. This cannon carried a ball of 200 pounds weight,but is not now used. Modern writers give this name to cannon of a smaller size, which the Dutch make 15 feet long, and the French 10, carrying a 48 pound ball.Definition 2024
Basilisk
basilisk
basilisk
See also: Basilisk
English
Alternative forms
Noun
basilisk (plural basilisks)
- A mythical (and heraldic) snake-like dragon type, reputed to be so venomous that its gaze was deadly.
- The deadly look of the basilisk
- (heraldry) A type of dragon used in heraldry.
- A tree-dwelling type of lizard of the genus Basiliscus.
- A type of large brass cannon.
Translations
snake-like dragon type
|
type of lizard (genus Basiliscus)
type of large brass cannon
Adjective
basilisk (not comparable)
- Suggesting a basilisk (snake-like dragon): baleful, spellbinding.
- 1870, The British drama: illustrated, volume 4, page 997:
- Well, She is so basilisk ; there's no death in her eyes ...
- 1884, M. L. O'Byrne, Ill-won Peerages, Or, An Unhallowed Union, page 126:
- her gaze became more basilisk in its expression, and her countenance bore some similitude to that of a handsome fiend
- 2004, Witi Tame Ihimaera, Whanau II, page 167:
- He had never seen her quite like this, so basilisk, so frightening
-
Dutch
Pronunciation
Noun
basilisk m (plural basilisken, diminutive basiliskje n)
- a basilisk (mythological or heraldic monster)
- (zoology) a basilisik, a tree-dwelling type of lizard of the genus Basiliscus
Synonyms
- (mythology) koningshagedis
- (zoology) boomhagedis