Definition of caduceus
caducei
play \kə-ˈdü-sē-ˌī, -ˈdyü-, -shē-\1 : the symbolic staff of a herald; specifically : a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top
2 : a medical insignia bearing a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top:a : one sometimes used to symbolize a physician but often considered to be an erroneous representation — compare staff of aesculapiusb : the emblem of a medical corps or a department of the armed services (as of the United States Army)
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Recent Examples of caduceus from the Web
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The card shows a man and a woman each holding a cup; their cups touch, and from the union springs a winged-lion head atop a caduceus.
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Did You Know?
The Greek god Hermes, who served as herald and messenger to the other gods, carried a winged staff entwined with two snakes. The staff of Aesculapius, the god of healing, had one snake and no wings. The word ''caduceus," from Latin, is a modification of Greek karykeion, from karyx, meaning "herald." Strictly speaking, "caduceus" should refer only to the staff of the herald-god Hermes (Mercury to the Romans), but in practice the word is often applied to the one-snake staff as well. You might logically expect the staff of Aesculapius to be the symbol of the medical profession-and indeed, that is the symbol used by the American Medical Association. But you will also quite frequently see the true caduceus used as a medical symbol.
Illustration of caduceus
Origin and Etymology of caduceus
Latin, modification of Greek karykeion, from karyx, kēryx herald; akin to Sanskrit kāru singer
First Known Use: 1577
Medical Dictionary
caduceus
playMedical Definition of caduceus
caducei
\-sē-ˌī\play: a medical insignia bearing a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top:a: one sometimes used to symbolize a physician but often considered to be an erroneous representation—compare staff of aesculapiusb: the emblem of a medical corps or a department of the armed services (as of the United States Army)
Illustration of caduceus
Learn More about caduceus
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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about caduceus
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