hellbender

American  

[hel-ben-der] / ˈhɛlˌbɛn dər /

noun

1. a large salamander, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, of rivers and streams in eastern North America, having a flat, stout body and broad head.

2. Informal. a reckless or headstrong person.

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hellbender British  

/ ˈhɛlˌbɛndə /

noun

1. a very large dark grey aquatic salamander, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, with internal gills: inhabits rivers in E and central US: family Cryptobranchidae

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Etymology

Origin of hellbender

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; hell + bender

Example Sentences

Male hellbender salamanders usually make doting dads, guarding eggs and shaking them free of silt.

From Scientific American

A world without elephants, hellbender salamanders and the million other species at risk of extinction in the coming decades would be deeply impoverished.

From Scientific American

The hellbender salamander has been called a lot of things.

From New York Times

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources confirmed 3,500 dead fish in waterways as well as deceased hellbender salamanders, an endangered species in the state.

From Salon

Ecologically, one concern is for hellbenders, a prehistoric-looking aquatic salamander that can reach two feet long and is endangered in Ohio.

From New York Times