basilisk

[ bas-uh-lisk, baz- ]

noun

1. Classical Mythology. a creature, variously described as a serpent, lizard, or dragon, said to kill by its breath or look.
2. 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.

basilisk

/ ˈbæzɪˌlɪsk /

noun

1. (in classical legend) a serpent that could kill by its breath or glance
2. 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
3. a 16th-century medium cannon, usually made of brass

Other Words From

• bas·i·lis·cine [bas-, uh, -, lis, -in, -ahyn, baz-], basi·liscan adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of basilisk¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of basilisk¹

C14: from Latin basiliscus , from Greek basiliskos royal child, from basileus king

Example Sentences

Although the ingredients and method of preparation shown in Delicious in Dungeon are … unusual … the show still follows this pattern to a T. Whether the characters are making a mandrake and bat meat kakiage, or a basilisk egg omelette, they discuss the ingredients, prepare the meal and react as they eat it.

From Salon

He bought chicken eggs, painted them with dots, and sold them to a city official as basilisk eggs.

From Literature

He threw in a few basilisk eggs, which are a known charm for the blessings of many fat babies.

From Literature

That was also the point this obsession would spill over into his personal life; Musk only started dating the art-pop musician Grimes after he found out she had once made a similar pun he’d tweeted riffing on the Singularity-esque “Roko’s Basilisk” thought experiment.

From Slate

Dubbed the Basilisk V3 Pro, the shape and layout of the V3 Pro are virtually identical to the standard V3, with its claw-shaped design and 11 programmable inputs, and includes some of the hardware improvements that we saw with the standard Basilisk V3 — namely Razer’s new optical switches, RGB underglow, and a scroll wheel that can dynamically shift between tactile and free-spin modes based on how fast you spin it.

From The Verge