basilisk

1 of 2

noun

bas·i·lisk ˈba-sə-ˌlisk

ˈba-zə-

: a legendary reptile with fatal breath and glance

: any of several crested tropical American lizards (genus Basiliscus of the family Corytophanidae) related to the iguanas and noted for their ability to run on their hind legs

basilisk

2 of 2

adjective

: suggesting a basilisk : baleful, spellbinding

the eyes … with all their blaze of basilisk horror—Bram Stoker

Did you know?

In Hellenic and Roman legend, a basilisk (also called a cockatrice) was a serpent-like creature capable of destroying other creatures by way of its deadly stare. The modern basilisk is a lizard that belongs to the family Iguanidae and supposedly resembles this fabled monster; it has a large, inflatable crest atop its head and is sometimes called a "Jesus Christ lizard" for its ability to run quickly across the surface of water. The use of "basilisk" as an adjective occurs most frequently in phrases such as "basilisk stare"; recalling the notorious gaze of the legendary basilisk, it describes the deep and piercing look of someone who is frightening or seductive.

Examples of basilisk in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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Noun

Unlike basilisk lizards or sailfin dragons, which have similarly large fins today, Dimetrodon’s crests weren’t flexible. —Joshua Rapp Learn, Discover Magazine, 30 July 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Latin basiliscus "kind of snake," borrowed from Greek basilískos "minor prince, kind of snake (presumably possessing a crown-like crest)," from basil-, base of basileús "king, prince" (of pre-Greek substratal origin) + -iskos, diminutive suffix

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

15th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler

The first known use of basilisk was in the 13th century

See more words from the same century