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caduceus

noun
ca·​du·​ceus | \ kə-ˈdü-sē-əs How to pronounce caduceus (audio) , -ˈdyü-, -shəs\
plural caducei\ kə-​ˈdü-​sē-​ˌī How to pronounce caducei (audio) , -​ˈdyü-​ , -​shē-​ \

Definition of caduceus

1 : the symbolic staff of a herald specifically : a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top
2 : a medical insignia bearing a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top:
a : one sometimes used to symbolize a physician but often considered to be an erroneous representation — compare staff of asclepius
b : the emblem of a medical corps or a department of the armed services (as of the United States Army)

Illustration of caduceus

Illustration of caduceus

caduceus 1

Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about caduceus

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Did You Know?

The Greek god Hermes, who served as herald and messenger to the other gods, carried a winged staff entwined with two snakes. The staff of Aesculapius, the god of healing, had one snake and no wings. The word ''caduceus," from Latin, is a modification of Greek karykeion, from karyx, meaning "herald." Strictly speaking, "caduceus" should refer only to the staff of the herald-god Hermes (Mercury to the Romans), but in practice the word is often applied to the one-snake staff as well. You might logically expect the staff of Aesculapius to be the symbol of the medical profession-and indeed, that is the symbol used by the American Medical Association. But you will also quite frequently see the true caduceus used as a medical symbol.

Examples of caduceus in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

 The card shows a man and a woman each holding a cup; their cups touch, and from the union springs a winged-lion head atop a caduceus. — Peter Bebergal, The New Yorker, "Making the Tarot Literary Again," 29 Feb. 2016

First Known Use of caduceus

1577, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for caduceus

Latin, modification of Greek karykeion, from karyx, kēryx herald; akin to Sanskrit kāru singer

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More Definitions for caduceus

caduceus

noun
ca·​du·​ceus | \ kə-ˈd(y)ü-sē-əs, -shəs How to pronounce caduceus (audio) \
plural caducei\ -​sē-​ˌī How to pronounce caducei (audio) \

Medical Definition of caduceus

: a medical insignia bearing a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top:
a : one sometimes used to symbolize a physician but often considered to be an erroneous representation — compare staff of asclepius
b : the emblem of a medical corps or a department of the armed services (as of the United States Army)

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