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caduceus
The definition of caduceus is a staff carried by an ancient messenger that shows two serpents wrapped around a staff, or a drawing of such a tool.
(noun)- An example of caduceus is the winged staff carried by Mercury, the messenger god.
- An example of caduceus is the symbol of the medical profession.
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See caduceus in Webster's New World College Dictionary
noun pl. caducei
- the staff of an ancient herald; esp., the winged staff with two serpents coiled about it, carried by Mercury
- an emblematic staff like this with either one or two serpents, used as a symbol of the medical profession
Origin: L, ? via Etr < Gr(Doric) karykeion, for Gr kērykeion < kēryx, herald < IE base *kar-, to praise > OHG hruom, Ger ruhm
Related Forms:
- caducean adjective
See caduceus in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun pl. ca·du·ce·i (-sē-īˌ)
- a. A herald's wand or staff, especially in ancient times.b. Greek Mythology A winged staff with two serpents twined around it, carried by Hermes.
- An insignia modeled on Hermes's staff and used as the symbol of the medical profession.
Origin:
Origin: Latin cādūceus
Origin: , alteration of Greek dialectal kārūkeion
Origin: , from kārūx, herald
.Related Forms:
- ca·duˈce·an (-sē-ən, -shən) adjective
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