amphisbaena
[ am-fuhs-bee-nuh ]
noun,plural am·phis·bae·nae [am-fuhs-bee-nee], /ˌæm fəsˈbi ni/, am·phis·bae·nas.
any of numerous worm lizards of the genus Amphisbaena.
Classical Mythology. a serpent having a head at each end of its body and the ability to move forward or backward.
Origin of amphisbaena
11350–1400; 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
Other words from amphisbaena
- am·phis·bae·ni·an, am·phis·bae·nic, am·phis·bae·noid, am·phis·bae·nous, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024
British Dictionary definitions for amphisbaena
amphisbaena
/ (ˌæmfɪsˈbiːnə) /
nounplural -nae (-niː) or -nas
any worm lizard of the genus Amphisbaena
classical myth a poisonous serpent having a head at each end and able to move forwards or backwards
Origin of amphisbaena
1C16: via Latin from Greek amphisbaina, from amphis both ways + bainein to go
Derived forms of amphisbaena
- amphisbaenic, adjective
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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