Salamander \Sal"a*man`der\, n. [F. salamandre, L. salamandra, Gr. ?; cf. Per. samander, samandel.]

1. (Zo["o]l.) 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.

Note: 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. --Shak.

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. (Zo["o]l.) 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. (Zo["o]l.) See under Giant.

Salamander's hair or wool (Min.), a species of asbestus or mineral flax. [Obs.]

--Bacon.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)