basilisk

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a mythical serpent or dragon said to kill by its breath or gaze

   The old bestiary warned that a basilisk could kill anyone who met its eyes.

2. 2
   noun

   a tropical American lizard with a crest, some species of which can run across water on their hind legs

   The basilisk escaped across the pond before the researchers could catch it.

From Middle English basilike, through Old French and Latin basiliscus, from Greek basiliskos ("little king"), a diminutive of basileus ("king"). The name may allude to a crownlike marking or crest on the creature's head.

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