amphisbaena

American  

[am-fuhs-bee-nuh] / ˌæm fəsˈbi nə /

noun

plural

amphisbaenae, amphisbaenas

1. any of numerous worm lizards of the genus Amphisbaena.

2. Classical Mythology. a serpent having a head at each end of its body and the ability to move forward or backward.

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amphisbaena British  

/ ˌæmfɪsˈbiːnə /

noun

1. any worm lizard of the genus Amphisbaena

2. classical myth a poisonous serpent having a head at each end and able to move forwards or backwards

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Other Word Forms

• amphisbaenian adjective
• amphisbaenic adjective
• amphisbaenoid adjective
• amphisbaenous adjective

Etymology

Origin of amphisbaena

1350–1400; Middle English amphibena < New Latin, Latin < Greek amphísbaina a serpent that moves forward or backward, equivalent to amphís both ways + baín ( ein ) to go + -a noun suffix

Example Sentences

He describes Sir Thomas Browne’s compendium of real and imaginary creatures: the chameleon, the salamander, the ostrich, the gryphon and the phoenix, the basilisk, the unicorn, and the amphisbaena, the serpent with two heads.

From Salon • Feb. 4, 2013

So Milton:         Scorpion and asp, and amphisbaena dire,         Cerastes horn'd, hydrus and elops drear,         And dipsas.

From Divine Comedy, Cary's Translation, Complete by Cary, Henry Francis

They have here also the amphisbaena, or two-headed snake, of a grey colour, mixed with blackish stripes, whose bite is reckoned to be incurable.

From A Voyage to New Holland by Dampier, William

It is probable, however, that the amphisbaena takes up its abode in the nest for the convenience of devouring the inhabitants, whenever unable to procure other food.

From The Western World Picturesque Sketches of Nature and Natural History in North and South America by Kingston, William Henry Giles