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Webster 1913 Edition

Salamander

Sal′a-manˊder

,
Noun.
[F.
salamandre
, L.
salamandra
, Gr. [GREEK]; cf. Per.
samander
,
samandel
.]
1.
(Zool.)
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.
☞ 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.
Shakespeare
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.
(Zool.)
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
.
(Zool.)
See under
Giant
.
–
Salamander’s hair
or
Salamander's wool
(Min.)
,
a species of asbestos or mineral flax.
[Obs.]
Bacon.

Webster 1828 Edition

Salamander

SAL'AMANDER

,
Noun.
[L. Gr. salamandra.] An animal of the genus Lacerta or Lizard, one of the smaller species of the genus, not being more than six or seven inches in length. It has a short cylindrical tail, four toes on the four feet, and a naked body. The skin is furnished with small excrescences like teats, which are full of holes from which oozes a milky liquor that spreads over the skin, forming a kind of transparent varnish. The eyes are placed in the upper part of the head. The color is dark, with a bluish cast on the belly, intermixed with irregular yellow spots. This animal is oviparous, inhabits cold damp places among trees or hedges, avoiding the heat of the sun. The vulgar story of its being able to endure fire, is a mistake.
Salamander's hair or wool, a name given to a species of asbestos or mineral flax; I believe no long used.

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