amphisbaena

noun

am·​phis·​bae·​na ˌam(p)-fəs-ˈbē-nə 

: a serpent in classical mythology having a head at each end and capable of moving in either direction

amphisbaenic

ˌam(p)-fəs-ˈbē-nik 

adjective

Examples of amphisbaena in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

My list includes epipsychidion, subaqueous, crunk, antidisestablishmentarianism, zombie, amphisbaena, floccinaucinihilipilification, dudical, enantiomorphism and Taco Bell. —John Brownlee, WIRED, 1 Dec. 2006

Word History

Etymology

Middle English amphibaena, borrowed from Latin amphisbaena, borrowed from Greek amphísbaina, from amphís "on both sides" (adverbial derivative of amphí "around, about") + -baina, a conflation of the present stem of baínein "to go, step" and the suffix -aina of animal names (as mýraina "moray eel," drákaina "she-dragon") — more at ambient entry 1, come entry 1

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above