Amphisbaena

2 definitions found

From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:

  Amphisbaena \Am`phis*b[ae]"na\, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?; ? on both
     ends + ? to go.]
     1. A fabled serpent with a head at each end, moving either
        way. --Milton.
        [1913 Webster]
  


     2. (Zool.) A genus of harmless lizards, serpentlike in form,
        without legs, and with both ends so much alike that they
        appear to have a head at each, and ability to move either
        way. See Illustration in Appendix.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     Note: The {Gordius aquaticus}, or hairworm, has been called
           an {amphisbaena}; but it belongs among the worms.
           [1913 Webster]

From WordNet (r) 2.0 [wn]:

  amphisbaena
       n 1: (classical mythology) a serpent with a head at each end of
            its body
       2: type genus of the Amphisbaenidae [syn: {genus Amphisbaena},
          {Amphisbaenia}, {genus Amphisbaenia}]
       [also: {amphisbaenae} (pl)]