Definitions for caduceuskəˈdu si əs, -syus, -ʃəs, -ˈdyu-; -siˌaɪ
Random House Webster's College Dictionary
ca•du•ce•uskəˈdu si əs, -syus, -ʃəs, -ˈdyu-; -siˌaɪ(n.)(pl.)-ce•i
the winged staff carried by Mercury as messenger of the gods.
Category: Mythology
a representation of this staff used as a symbol of the medical profession.
Category: Medicine, Military
Origin of caduceus:
1585–95; < L, var. of cādūceum < Gk
Princeton's WordNet
caduceus(noun)
an insignia used by the medical profession; modeled after the staff of Hermes
Wiktionary
caduceus(Noun)
The official wand carried by a herald in ancient Greece and Rome, specifically the one carried in mythology by Hermes, the messenger of the gods, usually represented with two snakes twined around it.
caduceus(Noun)
A symbol () representing a staff with two snakes wrapped around it, used to indicate merchants and messengers, and also sometimes as a symbol of medicine.
Origin: Via caduceus, caduceum, adaptation of Doric καρύκειον. This and Attic Greek κηρύκειον are derived from κῆρυξ. Related to κηρύσσω.
Webster Dictionary
Caduceus(noun)
the official staff or wand of Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods. It was originally said to be a herald's staff of olive wood, but was afterwards fabled to have two serpents coiled about it, and two wings at the top
The Nuttall Encyclopedia
Caduceus
the winged rod of Hermes, entwined with two serpents; originally a simple olive branch; was in the hands of the god possessed of magical virtues; it was the symbol of peace.
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