amphisbaena

[ am-fuh s-bee-nuh ]
/ ˌæm fəsˈbi nə /

noun, plural am·phis·bae·nae [am-fuh s-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

1350–1400; 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

Words nearby amphisbaena

amphiploid, amphipod, amphipodous, amphiprostyle, amphiprotic, amphisbaena, amphiscians, amphistomatal, amphistome, amphistomous, amphistylar

Example sentences from the Web for amphisbaena

British Dictionary definitions for amphisbaena

amphisbaena
/ (ˌæmfɪsˈbiːnə) /

noun plural -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

Derived forms of amphisbaena

amphisbaenic, adjective

Word Origin for amphisbaena

C16: via Latin from Greek amphisbaina, from amphis both ways + bainein to go