salamander

sal·a·man·der

noun \ˈsa-lə-ˌman-dər also ˌsa-lə-ˈ\

Definition of SALAMANDER

1

: a mythical animal having the power to endure fire without harm

2

: an elemental being in the theory of Paracelsus inhabiting fire

3

: any of numerous amphibians (order Caudata) superficially resembling lizards but scaleless and covered with a soft moist skin and breathing by gills in the larval stage

4

: an article used in connection with fire: as a : a cooking utensil for browning a food (as pastry or pudding) b : a portable stove c : a cooking device with an overhead heat source like a broiler

— sal·a·man·drine \ˌsa-lə-ˈman-drən\ adjective

Origin of SALAMANDER

Middle English salamandre, from Anglo-French, from Latin salamandra, from Greek

First Known Use: 14th century