hellbender

[ hel-ben-der ]

noun

1. a large salamander, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, of rivers and streams in eastern North America, having a flat, stout body and broad head.
2. Informal. a reckless or headstrong person.

hellbender

/ ˈhɛlˌbɛndə /

noun

1. a very large dark grey aquatic salamander, Cryptobranchus alleganiensis, with internal gills: inhabits rivers in E and central US: family Cryptobranchidae

Word History and Origins

Origin of hellbender¹

An Americanism dating back to 1805–15; hell + bender