Basilisk
Noun
- A mythical reptile with a lethal gaze or breath, hatched by a serpent from a cock’s egg.
- A long, slender, and mainly bright green lizard found in Central America, the male of which has a crest running from the head to the tail. It can swim well, and is able to run on its hind legs across the surface of water.
Example Sentences
“We proposed the basilisk as our new school mascot because of its fierce reputation.”
“As the local folklore tells, the cave of treasures was protected by a 10-foot basilisk.”
“I thought it was a gecko, but the guide informed me that it was a basilisk.”
Word Origin
Greek, 13th century
Why this word?
Found in tales of folklore from Pliny the Elder, medieval European accounts, and modern fantasy books, the basilisk is a dangerous mythological creature, often presented as the king of snakes. The origins and methods of defeating this fearsome reptile vary by storyteller, but they all describe a lethal gaze. While the mythical beast is a snake, the name “basilisk” was borrowed for a real-life lizard that can run on its legs along the water. No danger is to be found from the Central American basilisk.
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