Salamander
['sælə,mændə] or ['sæləmændɚ]
Definition
(noun.) any of various typically terrestrial amphibians that resemble lizards and that return to water only to breed.
(noun.) reptilian creature supposed to live in fire.
Checker: Ophelia--From WordNet
Definition
(n.) Any one of numerous species of Urodela, belonging to Salamandra, Amblystoma, Plethodon, and various allied genera, especially those that are more or less terrestrial in their habits.
(n.) The pouched gopher (Geomys tuza) of the Southern United States.
(n.) A culinary utensil of metal with a plate or disk which is heated, and held over pastry, etc., to brown it.
(n.) A large poker.
(n.) Solidified material in a furnace hearth.
Edited by Amber
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. Eft, newt.
Checker: Tina
Definition
n. a genus of tailed Amphibians nearly related to the newts harmless but long dreaded as poisonous once supposed able to live in fire: (her.) a four-legged creature with a long tail surrounded by flames: a poker used red-hot for kindling fires: a hot metal plate for browning meat &c.—adjs. Salaman′driform; Salaman′drine like a salamander: enduring fire; Salaman′droid—also n.
Checked by Chiquita
Unserious Contents or Definition
n. Originally a reptile inhabiting fire; later an anthropomorphous immortal but still a pyrophile. Salamanders are now believed to be extinct the last one of which we have an account having been seen in Carcassonne by the Abbe Belloc who exorcised it with a bucket of holy water.
Editor: Matt
Examples
- She would say, 'Take a salamander,' as if a general should command a private to catch a Tartar. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- If that will be _your_ married look, I, as a Christian, will soon give up the notion of consorting with a mere sprite or salamander. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- I knew nothing of the natural history of salamanders. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- There were amphibia like gigantic newts and salamanders, and even primitive reptiles in these swamps. H. G. Wells. The Outline of History_Being a Plain History of Life and Mankind.
Typed by Evangeline