basilisk
[ bas-uh-lisk, baz- ]
/ ˈbæs ə lɪsk, ˈbæz- /
noun
Classical Mythology.
a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look.
any of several tropical American iguanid lizards of the genus Basiliscus, noted for their ability to run across the surface of water on their hind legs.
Origin of basilisk
1250–1300; Middle English < Latin
basiliscus < Greek
basilískos princeling, basilisk, equivalent to
basil(eús) king +
-iskos diminutive suffix; allegedly so named from a crownlike white spot on its head
OTHER WORDS FROM basilisk
bas·i·lis·cine [bas-uh-lis-in, -ahyn, baz-] /ˌbæs əˈlɪs ɪn, -aɪn, ˌbæz-/, bas·i·lis·can, adjectiveWords nearby basilisk
basilic,
basilic vein,
basilica,
basilican,
basilicata,
basilisk,
basilius,
basin,
basin range,
basinet,
basing point
Example sentences from the Web for basilisk
British Dictionary definitions for basilisk
basilisk
/ (ˈbæzɪˌlɪsk) /
noun
(in classical legend) a serpent that could kill by its breath or glance
any small arboreal semiaquatic lizard of the genus Basiliscus of tropical America: family Iguanidae (iguanas). The males have an inflatable head crest, used in display
a 16th-century medium cannon, usually made of brass
Word Origin for basilisk
C14: from Latin
basiliscus, from Greek
basiliskos royal child, from
basileus king