basilisk

 
Pronunciation: /ˈbazɪlɪsk/

noun

  • 1a mythical reptile with a lethal gaze or breath, hatched by a serpent from a cock’s egg.
  • Heraldryanother term for cockatrice.
  • 2a long, slender, and mainly bright green lizard found in Central America, the male of which has a crest running from the head to the tail. It can swim well, and is able to run on its hind legs across the surface of water.
    • Basiliscus plumifrons, family Iguanidae

Origin:

late Middle English: via Latin from Greek basiliskos 'little king, serpent', from basileus 'king'