caduceus

noun

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ca·du·ceus | \ kə-ˈdü-sē-əs

, -ˈdyü-, -shəs \

plural caducei\ kə-ˈdü-sē-ˌī

, -ˈdyü- , -shē- \

Definition of caduceus

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 asclepius

b : the emblem of a medical corps or a department of the armed services (as of the United States Army)

Did you know? Example Sentences Learn More About caduceus

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.

Examples of caduceus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The caduceus is the magic wand carried by Hermes, who the Romans knew as Mercury, the messenger of the gods. — Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 15 June 2022 The caduceus of the RAF Medics is a brilliant shape—and an international symbol for medicine everywhere. — Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2021 Union officials said that removing the caduceus — the traditional symbol of medicine featuring two serpents wrapped around a staff — from the uniforms lapel and making name patches optional will only further erode public trust. — Libor Jany, Star Tribune, 7 July 2021 Or, try Cameron's other outfit featuring a caduceus T-shirt and suspenders. — Tierney Mcafee, Country Living, 14 July 2020 Or, try Cameron's other outfit featuring a caduceus T-shirt and suspenders. — Tierney Mcafee, Country Living, 14 July 2020 Or, try Cameron's other outfit featuring a caduceus T-shirt and suspenders. — Tierney Mcafee, Country Living, 14 July 2020 Or, try Cameron's other outfit featuring a caduceus T-shirt and suspenders. — Tierney Mcafee, Country Living, 14 July 2020 Or, try Cameron's other outfit featuring a caduceus T-shirt and suspenders. — Tierney Mcafee, Country Living, 14 July 2020 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'caduceus.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.