WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Sal"a*man`der
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [F. salamandre, L. salamandra, Gr. samander, samandel.]
Definition : 1. (Zo?l.)

Defn: 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.

Note: The salamanders have, like lizards, an elongated body, four feet, and a long tail, but are destitute of scales. They are true Amphibia, related to the frogs. Formerly, it was a superstition that the salamander could live in fire without harm, and even extinguish it by the natural coldness of its body. I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years. Shak. Whereas it is commonly said that a salamander extinguisheth fire, we have found by experience that on hot coals, it dieth immediately. Sir T. Browne.

2. (Zo?l.)

Defn: The pouched gopher (Geomys tuza) of the Southern United States.

3. A culinary utensil of metal with a plate or disk which is heated, and held over pastry, etc., to brown it.

4. A large poker. [prov. Eng.] Halliwell.

5. (Metal.)

Defn: Solidofied material in a furnace hearth. Giant salamander. (Zo?l.) See under Giant. -- Salamander's hair or wool (Min.), a species of asbestus or mineral flax. [Obs.] Bacon.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913