Basilisk

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈbæs.ɪ.lɪsk/

Alternative forms

• basilisc

Origin

From Middle English, from Old French basilique, from Latin basiliscus, from Ancient Greek βασιλίσκος (basiliskos, "royal, imperial"), from βασιλεύς (basileus, "king").

Full definition of basilisk

Noun

1. A mythical (and heraldic) snake-like dragon type, reputed to be so venomous that its gaze was deadly.The deadly look of the basilisk
2. (heraldiccharge) In heraldry, a type of dragon
3. (zoology) A treedwelling type of lizard, of genus .
4. A type of large brass cannon.