amphisbaena

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See also: Amphisbaena and amphisbæna

English

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Alternative forms

Etymology

From Latin amphisbaena, from Ancient Greek ἀμφίσβαινα (amphísbaina, from ἀμφίς (amphís, both ways) +‎ βαίνω (baínō, I go)).

Pronunciation

Noun

amphisbaena (plural amphisbaenas)

  1. (mythology) A mythical serpent having a head at each end of its body, able to move in either direction.
    • 1971: What do you call that animal that goes backward and forward, head at each end? —'Amphisbaena'. A kind of lizard. It doesn't exist. — Anthony Burgess, M/F (Penguin 2004, p. 109)
  2. A member of a genus of lizards, native to the Americas, having extremities which are very similar.

Derived terms

Translations