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Webster 1913 Edition


Cerberus

Cer′be-rus

,
Noun.
[L. Cerberus (in sense 1), gr. [GREEK].]
1.
(Class. Myth.)
A monster, in the shape of a three-headed dog, guarding the entrance into the infernal regions, Hence: Any vigilant custodian or guardian, esp. if surly.
2.
(Zool.)
A genus of East Indian serpents, allied to the pythons; the bokadam.

Definition 2024


Cerberus

Cerberus

Translingual

Wikispecies

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Κέρβερος (Kérberos), possibly cognate with Sanskrit शबल (śabala), कर्बुर (karbura), "speckled, spotted color," from Proto-Indo-European *ḱerberós (spotted).

Proper noun

Cerberus m

  1. A taxonomic genus within the family Colubridae – certain water snakes.

English

Proper noun

Cerberus

  1. (Greek mythology) The giant three-headed dog who guards the entrance to Hades; and one of the many offspring of Echidna and Typhon.
  2. (astronomy) A former constellation of the northern sky, near Hercules.

Translations