amphisbaena etymology

Etymology:

The word "amphisbaena" comes from the Ancient Greek words "amphi," meaning "both," and "baenein," meaning "to go." It literally translates to "going both ways."

Meaning and Origin:

An amphisbaena is a mythical creature described in classical literature and folklore. It is typically depicted as a serpent or snake with a head at both ends of its body. This allows it to move forward and backward with equal ease.

The concept of the amphisbaena likely originated from ancient beliefs about the nature of snakes. Snakes have small, rapidly flicking tongues that can be mistaken for a second head. Additionally, snakes can move in both forward and reverse directions, further contributing to the myth.

In some cultures, the amphisbaena was believed to be highly poisonous or venomous. It was also associated with death and misfortune. However, in other cultures, it was seen as a symbol of healing or fertility.

The amphisbaena has appeared in literature and mythology from various cultures, including:

  • Ancient Greece: Depicted as a serpent with two heads in the legend of the Hydra.
  • Ancient Rome: Described as a venomous snake in Pliny the Elder's natural history.
  • Medieval Europe: Feared as a poisonous creature in bestiaries and folklore.
  • Native American mythology: Associated with healing and transformation.

Today, the amphisbaena remains a popular mythical creature, often used as a symbol of duality, balance, or deception.

amphisbaena relate terms

  • amphi

    Etymology Greek ἀμφί amphi Meaning On both sides About around Origin T

  • acrobat

    Etymology The word acrobat comes from the Greek word akrobatēs ακροβάτης

  • adiabatic

    Etymology The term adiabatic is derived from the Greek words a meaning not dia

  • advent

    Etymology Origin of the Word The word advent comes from the Latin word adventus wh

  • adventitious

    Etymology Latin adventicius come from abroad From advenire to come to Meani

  • adventure

    Etymology Late Middle English from Old French aventure from Latin adventūra literal

  • amphisbaena

    Etymology The word amphisbaena comes from the Ancient Greek words amphi meaning bo

  • anabasis

    Etymology of Anabasis The word anabasis originates from the Ancient Greek word ἀνά

  • avenue

    Etymology The word avenue derives from the French word avenue which in turn comes fr

  • base

    Etymology Greek basis a foundation a base Meaning A fundamental or supporting

  • basis

    Etymology The word basis comes from the Greek word βάσις basis which means

  • become

    Etymology The word etymology comes from the Greek words etymon meaning true sense

  • circumvent

    Etymology The word circumvent comes from the Latin words circum meaning around an

  • come

    Etymology The word come comes from Middle English comen which in turn comes from Ol

  • contravene

    Etymology Latin contravenire Contra against venire come Meaning To ac

  • convene

    Etymology Latin convenire meaning to come together agree suit Derived from the

  • convenient

    Etymology Latin conveniens Present participle of the verb convenire meaning to c

  • convent

    Etymology The word convent comes from the Latin word conventus which means an asse

  • conventicle

    Etymology The word conventicle comes from the Latin conventiculum which means a smal

  • convention

    Etymology The word convention comes from the Latin word conventio which means a com

  • coven

    Etymology The word coven comes from the Middle English word covent which in turn der

  • covenant

    Etymology The word covenant is derived from the Old French word covenant which in t

  • diabetes

    Etymology Greek dia through bētēs passing through Meaning A chronic meta

  • ecbatic

    Etymology The word ecbatic is derived from the Ancient Greek word ekbatikos which me

  • event

    Etymology The word event comes from the Old French word evenement which in turn come

  • eventual

    Etymology Latin eventus occurrence outcome Proto Indo European aew n to come

  • hyperbaton

    Etymology Hyperbaton is derived from the Greek word ὑπερβατόν hyperbaton whi

  • hypnobate

    Etymology Greek hypnos sleep bateo to walk Meaning A sleepwalker Origin Th

  • intervene

    Etymology From Late Latin intervenire from Latin inter between venire to com

  • intervenient

    Etymology Intervene Latin to come between ient Latin ing or tending to bec

  • intervention

    Etymology Latin intervenire to come between Inter between venire to come

  • invent

    Etymology invent v Middle English inventen from Latin invenire to come upon fro

  • invention

    Etymology The word invention is derived from the Latin word invenire meaning to com

  • inventory

    Etymology The word inventory is derived from the Latin phrase inventarium meaning a

  • juggernaut

    Etymology From Sanskrit jagannātha or jagad nātha Jagannātha means Lord of t

  • katabatic

    Etymology Greek katabatikos meaning descending Derived from katabaino meaning to

  • misadventure

    Etymology French mésaventure misfortune mishap Late Latin male adventura bad fo

  • parvenu

    Etymology French parvenu past participle of parvenir to arrive reach Latin perv

  • prevenient

    Etymology The word prevenient is derived from the Latin praevenire meaning to come

  • prevent

    Etymology Prevent comes from the Middle French prévenir from the Latin praevenire a

  • provenance

    Etymology Latin proveniens stem of provenire meaning coming from Meaning Prov

  • provenience

    Etymology The word provenance is derived from the Old French word provenance which i

  • revenant

    Etymology The word revenant derives from the French verb revenir meaning to return

  • revenue

    Etymology The word revenue comes from the Middle English word revenu which is deriv

  • souvenir

    Etymology The word souvenir is derived from the French word souvenir which means t

  • subvention

    Etymology French subvention Latin subventio sub under venire to come

  • supervene

    Etymology From Latin supervenīre meaning to come upon or to arrive after Supe

  • venire

    Etymology and Meaning The word venire is a Latin word that means to come It is deriv

  • venue

    Etymology The word venue comes from the French word venue meaning coming or arriv

  • welcome

    Etymology of Welcome Welcome is derived from two Old English words Wel meaning w

  • abaft

    Etymology Middle English abaft from Old French abaf arriere from Late Latin ab af

  • about

    Etymology Etymology is the study of the origin and history of words It involves tracing

  • alley

    Etymology The word alley comes from the Old French word alée which means a passage

  • ambagious

    Etymology The term ambagious is derived from the Latin word ambages which means a

  • ambassador

    Etymology Latin ambactus meaning servant retainer French ambassadeur from ambact

  • ambi

    Etymology Late Latin ambiguus doubtful uncertain Ultimately from Proto Indo Europe

  • ambidexterity

    Etymology Ambi Latin both dexter Latin right hand Meaning Ambidexteri

  • ambidextrous

    Etymology The word ambidextrous originates from two Latin words ambi meaning bot

  • ambience

    Etymology The word ambience comes from the Latin word ambire meaning to surround o

  • ambient

    Etymology Latin ambiēns present participle of ambīre to go around Meaning Su

  • ambiguous

    Etymology Ambiguous etymology refers to words whose origin and history are uncertain or

  • ambit

    Etymology The word ambit has Latin origins It derives from the Latin word ambire me

  • ambition

    Etymology and Meaning of Ambition The word ambition comes from the Latin word ambitio

  • ambitious

    Etymology Latin ambi meaning both around Latin īre meaning to go ous suff

  • amble

    Etymology The word amble is derived from the Old French word ambler which means to

  • ambulance

    Etymology The word ambulance comes from the Latin ambulantia meaning to walk or

  • ambulant

    Etymology The word ambulant comes from the Latin word ambulare meaning to walk

  • ambulate

    Etymology Latin ambulare meaning to walk Proto Indo European h₂em meaning to

  • ambulatory

    Etymology The word ambulatory derives from the Latin word ambulare meaning to walk

  • amphi

    Etymology Greek ἀμφί amphi Meaning On both sides About around Origin T

  • amphibian

    Etymology The word amphibian comes from the Greek words amphi ἀμφί and bios

  • Amphictyonic

    Etymology and Meaning of Amphictyonic Etymology The term amphictyonic is derived from

  • amphisbaena

    Etymology The word amphisbaena comes from the Ancient Greek words amphi meaning bo

  • Amphiscians

    Etymology Greek amphi both sides skia shadow Meaning Amphiscians refers

  • amphitheater

  • amphora

    Etymology Greek amphoreus from amphi both pherein to carry Meaning A two

  • amputate

    Etymology From Latin amputare meaning to cut off Derived from amb meaning ar

  • amputation

    Etymology of Amputation Origin Latin amputationem nominative amputatio meanin

  • ancillary

    Etymology Ancillary derives from the Latin word ancilla meaning maidservant or

  • andante

    Etymology Andante is derived from the Italian present participle of andare meaning t

  • anfractuous

    Etymology Latin anfractus a winding bend Proto Indo European h₂n̥k to ben

  • begin

    Etymology The word begin comes from the Old English word beginnan which means to pe

  • beleaguer

    Etymology Old French belaguer from Late Latin bellicare from Latin bellicus of w

  • between

    Etymology is the study of the origin of words their form and their semantic changes over

  • bivouac

    Etymology French bivouac German biwak camp place of encampment Swiss German bivak

  • circumambulate

    Etymology Latin circum around ambulare to walk Meaning To walk around or

  • embassy

    Etymology The word embassy comes from the French word ambassade which in turn deriv

  • ember days

    Etymology and Meaning of Ember Days The term ember days is derived from the Latin phras

  • funambulist

    Etymology From Late Latin funambulus from funis rope ambulare to walk Mea

  • ombudsman

    Etymology The word ombudsman originates from the Old Swedish word ombuds which mean

  • perambulate

    Etymology Latin perambulare Prefix per through over Root ambulare to walk

  • perambulation

    Etymology Latin perambulare to walk through or around Per through ambulare

  • preamble

    Etymology The word preamble originates from the Middle French word preambule meanin

  • somnambulate

    Etymology Somno Latin sleep Ambulare Latin to walk Meaning To walk or be

  • somnambulism

    Etymology Somnambulism comes from the Latin somnus meaning sleep and ambulare m

  • umlaut

    Etymology German Umlaut Old High German Umbilūti um around about lūt inclina

  • look

    Etymology Old English lōcian to see Proto West Germanic lōkijanan Proto Germanic

  • communication

    Etymology The word communication derives from the Latin word communicare meaning to

  • authentic

    Etymology Ancient Greek authentikos meaning genuine original trustworthy Latin

  • fortune

    Etymology From Middle English fortune noun and verb from Old French fortune from La

  • prosper

    Etymology From Latin prosper meaning successful favorable or lucky Ultimatel

  • seedy

    Etymology The word seedy comes from the Middle English word seed which itself deriv

  • mirage

    Etymology The word mirage comes from the Latin word mirari meaning to wonder at o

  • dodge

    Etymology The word dodge has its origins in the Middle English word doggen meaning

  • friend

    Etymology The word friend comes from the Old English word freond which meant compa

  • justice

    Etymology and Origin of Justice Etymology The word justice derives from the Latin te