salamander
salamander Lexical Profile
salamander Game Scores & Validity
• noun
Any of an order (Caudata) of amphibians typically characterized by a lizard-like appearance, possessing slender bodies, blunt snouts, short limbs projecting at right angles to the body, and smooth, scaleless skin, typically found in moist habitats across the Northern Hemisphere.
"The herpetologist gently lifted the damp log to study a red-backed salamander resting in the damp moss."
A mythical, lizard-like creature historically believed to be capable of living in or enduring fire; in alchemy and folklore, it is considered the elemental spirit of fire.
"In medieval bestiaries, the salamander was frequently depicted walking unharmed through roaring flames."
A high-temperature culinary device or overhead broiler used in professional kitchens to quickly brown, glaze, or toast the tops of dishes.
"The chef placed the bowls of French onion soup under the salamander to blister the Gruyère cheese to a perfect golden brown."
Word Origin & Etymology
From Old French 'salamandre', via Latin 'salamandra' and Greek 'salamandra', originally denoting both the amphibian and a mythical fire-dwelling creature. Its pre-Greek origins remain unknown.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.