Definify.com

Webster 1913 Edition


Basilisk

Bas′i-lisk

,
Noun.
[L.
basiliscus
, Gr.
βασιλίσκοσ
little king, kind of serpent, dim. of
βασιλεύσ
king; – so named from some prominences on the head resembling a crown.]
1.
A fabulous serpent, or dragon. The ancients alleged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath, and even its look, was fatal. See
Cockatrice
.
Make me not sighted like the
basilisk
.
Shakespeare
2.
(Zool.)
A lizard of the genus
Basiliscus
, belonging to the family
Iguanidæ
.
☞ This genus is remarkable for a membranous bag rising above the occiput, which can be filled with air at pleasure; also for an elevated crest along the back, that can be raised or depressed at will.
3.
(Mil.)
A large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size.
[Obs.]

Webster 1828 Edition


Basilisk

BAS'ILISK

,
Noun.
s as z. [L. basiliscus.]
1.
A fabulous serpent, called a cockatrice, and said to be produced from a cock's egg brooded by a serpent. The ancients alledged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath and even its look was fatal. Some writers suppose that a real serpent exists under this name.
2.
In military affairs, a large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size. This cannon carried a ball of 200 pounds weight,but is not now used. Modern writers give this name to cannon of a smaller size, which the Dutch make 15 feet long, and the French 10, carrying a 48 pound ball.

Definition 2024


Basilisk

Basilisk

See also: basilisk

German

Noun

Basilisk m

  1. basilisk (mythical creature)
  2. basilisk, any reptile of genus Basiliscus

basilisk

basilisk

See also: Basilisk

English

Alternative forms

Noun

basilisk (plural basilisks)

  1. A mythical (and heraldic) snake-like dragon type, reputed to be so venomous that its gaze was deadly.
    The deadly look of the basilisk
  2. (heraldry) A type of dragon used in heraldry.
  3. A tree-dwelling type of lizard of the genus Basiliscus.
  4. A type of large brass cannon.

Translations

Adjective

basilisk (not comparable)

  1. Suggesting a basilisk (snake-like dragon): baleful, spellbinding.
    • 1870, The British drama: illustrated, volume 4, page 997:
      Well, She is so basilisk ; there's no death in her eyes ...
    • 1884, M. L. O'Byrne, Ill-won Peerages, Or, An Unhallowed Union, page 126:
      her gaze became more basilisk in its expression, and her countenance bore some similitude to that of a handsome fiend
    • 2004, Witi Tame Ihimaera, Whanau II, page 167:
      He had never seen her quite like this, so basilisk, so frightening

Dutch

Pronunciation

Noun

basilisk m (plural basilisken, diminutive basiliskje n)

  1. a basilisk (mythological or heraldic monster)
  2. (zoology) a basilisik, a tree-dwelling type of lizard of the genus Basiliscus

Synonyms

  • (mythology) koningshagedis
  • (zoology) boomhagedis