Salamander : Dictionary / Wörterbuch (BEOLINGUS, TU Chemnitz)

English Dictionary: Salamander	by the DICT Development Group
2 results for Salamander
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
salamander n any of various typically terrestrial amphibians that resemble lizards and that return to water only to breed reptilian creature supposed to live in fire fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fire Synonym(s): poker, stove poker, fire hook, salamander
From Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) [web1913]:
Salamander \Sal"aman`der\, n. [F. salamandre, L. salamandra, Gr. [?]; cf. Per. samander, samandel.] 1. (Zo[94]l.) Any one of numerous species of Urodela, belonging to {Salamandra}, {Amblystoma}, {Plethodon}, and various allied genera, especially those that are more or less terrestrial in their habits. Note: The salamanders have, like lizards, an elongated body, four feet, and a long tail, but are destitute of scales. They are true Amphibia, related to the frogs. Formerly, it was a superstition that the salamander* could live in fire without harm, and even extinguish it by the natural coldness of its body. I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years. --Shak. Whereas it is commonly said that a salamander extinguisheth fire, we have found by experience that on hot coals, it dieth immediately. --Sir T. Browne. 2. (Zo[94]l.) The pouched gopher ({Geomys tuza}) of the Southern United States. 3. A culinary utensil of metal with a plate or disk which is heated, and held over pastry, etc., to brown it. 4. A large poker. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. 5. (Metal.) Solidified material in a furnace hearth. {Giant salamander}. (Zo[94]l.) See under {Giant}. {Salamander's} {hair [or] wool} (Min.), a species of asbestus or mineral flax. [Obs.] --Bacon.