scolopendra

noun

1. A mythical sea-creature, reputed to be able to disgorge its bowels to dislodge any fishing-hook.

   obsolete

   Spring-headed Hydraes, and sea-shouldring Whales, / Great whirlpooles, which all fishes make to flee, / Bright Scolopendraes, arm'd with siluer scales, / Mighty Monoceroses, with immeasured tayles.

2. A centipede of the genus Scolopendra.

   This led the conversation to the insects of the Crimea and Ukraine, of which I had made a considerable collection, and the Emperor inquired of me if there were scorpions, scolopendras and tarantulas in the Crimea.

Where it comes from

From Latin scolopendra, from Ancient Greek σκολόπενδρα (skolópendra).

Adapted from the Wiktionary entry scolopendra (CC BY-SA 4.0).

← scolexsconce →

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