salamander

/'sælə,mændə/

Thân thiện

A spotted salamander crawls across the damp forest floor.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of amphibian: A salamander is a small, lizard-like amphibian that typically has a moist, smooth skin and a long tail. Most species live on land but return to water to breed.
   • A mythical creature: In mythology and folklore, a salamander is a legendary creature believed to be able to live in or withstand fire.
   • A metal tool: A salamander is a historical tool, a type of fire iron with a long handle and a pointed or hooked end, used for stirring or managing a fire.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Amphibian):
  • We found a spotted salamander under the log in the forest.
  • Salamanders are important indicators of environmental health.
• Noun (Mythical Creature):
  • The alchemist's manuscript described a salamander emerging from the flames.
  • In some stories, the salamander is a spirit of fire.
• Noun (Tool):
  • The blacksmith used a salamander to rearrange the hot coals.

Advanced Usage

• "Salamander" in heraldry: The mythical salamander is sometimes used as a symbol in coats of arms, often representing courage and endurance.
  • The family crest featured a salamander surrounded by flames.
• Industrial context: In some industries, "salamander" can refer to a type of portable heater or a high-temperature broiler used in professional kitchens.
  • The chef finished the steak under the salamander to crisp the top.

Variants and Related Words

• Salamandrine (adj): Pertaining to or resembling a salamander.
  • The creature had a strange, salamandrine appearance.
• Salamandroid (adj/n): Resembling or related to salamanders.
  • The fossil showed salamandroid characteristics.

Synonyms

• Newt: A type of small salamander, especially one that is aquatic.
• Eft: The terrestrial juvenile stage of some newts.
• Fire lizard: A poetic or archaic term for the mythical salamander.
• Poker: A tool with a similar function to the fire iron "salamander."

Related Phrases

• "Like a salamander": Used to describe someone who can tolerate great heat.
  • He worked in the kitchen, sweating but enduring the heat like a salamander.

Related Idioms

• "A salamander in the fire": An idiom referring to a person who thrives in difficult or dangerous situations.
  • As a war correspondent, she was a salamander in the fire, reporting from the most perilous zones.

Học thuật

Noun

1. fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fire
2. reptilian creature supposed to live in fire
3. any of various typically terrestrial amphibians that resemble lizards and that return to water only to breed

Từ đồng nghĩa

• poker
• stove poker
• fire hook