scolopendra

Etymology

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

Noun

scolopendra (plural scolopendras)

1. (obsolete) A mythical sea-creature, reputed to be able to disgorge its bowels to dislodge any fishing-hook.
   • 1590, Edmund Spenser, The Faerie Qveene. […], London: […] William Ponsonbie, OCLC 960102938, book II, canto XII:

     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.
   • 1845 November 1, The Eclectic Magazine, volume 6, page 352:

     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.

Etymology

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

Noun

scolopendra f (plural scolopendre)

1. scolopendra, a kind of centipede

Etymology

From Ancient Greek σκολόπενδρα (skolópendra).

Pronunciation

• (Classical) IPA^(key): /sko.loˈpen.dra/

Noun

scolopendra f (genitive scolopendrae); first declension

1. A kind of centipede.
2. A kind of sea-fish.

References

• scolopendra in Charlton T. Lewis and Charles Short (1879) A Latin Dictionary, Oxford: Clarendon Press
• scolopendra in Gaffiot, Félix (1934) Dictionnaire Illustré Latin-Français, Hachette