seps

 
Pronunciation: /sɛps/

noun

  • an African lizard with a snake-like body and very short or non-existent legs.
    • Genera Tetradactylus, family Gerrhosauridae: several species, formerly regarded as skinks

Origin:

mid 16th century (denoting a venomous serpent described by classical authors): via Latin from Greek sēps, from the base of sēpein 'make rotten'