newt

[ noot, nyoot ]

noun

1. any of several brilliantly colored salamanders of the family Salamandridae, especially those of the genera Triturus and Notophthalmus, of North America, Europe, and northern Asia.
2. any of various other small salamanders.

newt

/ njuːt /

noun

1. any of various small semiaquatic urodele amphibians, such as Triturus vulgaris ( common newt ) of Europe, having a long slender body and tail and short feeble legs
2. any other urodele amphibian, including the salamanders

Word History and Origins

Origin of newt¹

1375–1425; late Middle English newte, for ewte (the phrase an ewte being taken as a newte; nickname ), variant of evet, Old English efete eft ¹

Word History and Origins

Origin of newt¹

C15: from a newt, a mistaken division of an ewt; ewt, from Old English eveta eft ¹

Example Sentences

The new data do not necessarily “shut the book” on the idea that newts can produce TTX, says Charles Hanifin.

From Science News For Students

It turned out that poisonous newts had more Pseudomonas on their skin than did rough-skinned newts from Idaho that aren’t toxic.

From Science News For Students

These rough-skinned newts appear to borrow the poison to avoid becoming some snake’s lunch.

From Science News For Students

It’s possible that Pseudomonas bacteria have become more abundant on newts over time.

From Science News For Students

This is more exciting than the Newt Gingrich congressional triumph of 1994.

From The Daily Beast

He tried to pass healthcare reform but Newt Gingrich and the GOP-controlled House and Senate shot it down.

From The Daily Beast

This was done masterfully by Newt Gingrich in the debate before the South Carolina primary.

From The Daily Beast

Appearances mostly occurred in crime novels like “Bondage and boyflesh” by Newt Jennings.

From The Daily Beast

As you might guess, Newt is decidedly one of the people to which these agencies cater.

From The Daily Beast

It was only the day before that he pulled a newt by its tail just to see if the tail would really come off in his hand.

From Project Gutenberg

Newt's eyes blazed evilly at the words, but he only clamped his mouth tighter.

From Project Gutenberg

In the field at Newt Spooner's back a meadow-lark was madly trying to burst his pulsating throat with the flood of golden joy.

From Project Gutenberg

Eyes turned curiously on the shambling derelict, but the only expression on Newt's face was one of surly defiance to the world.

From Project Gutenberg

She was unlike any woman Newt Spooner had ever known; unlike any of the "gals" back in the mountains.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• frog
• salamander
• toad