'Salamander's hair' definitions:

Definition of 'Salamander's hair'

From: GCIDE
  • Salamander \Sal"a*man`der\, n. [F. salamandre, L. salamandra, Gr. ?; cf. Per. samander, samandel.]
  • 1. (Zool.) Any one of numerous species of Urodela, belonging to Salamandra, Amblystoma, Plethodon, and various allied genera, especially those that are more or less terrestrial in their habits. [1913 Webster]
  • Note: The salamanders have, like lizards, an elongated body, four feet, and a long tail, but are destitute of scales. They are true Amphibia, related to the frogs. Formerly, it was a superstition that the salamander could live in fire without harm, and even extinguish it by the natural coldness of its body. [1913 Webster]
  • I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
  • Whereas it is commonly said that a salamander extinguisheth fire, we have found by experience that on hot coals, it dieth immediately. --Sir T. Browne. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. (Zool.) The pouched gopher (Geomys tuza) of the Southern United States. [1913 Webster]
  • 3. A culinary utensil of metal with a plate or disk which is heated, and held over pastry, etc., to brown it. [1913 Webster]
  • 4. A large poker. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell. [1913 Webster]
  • 5. (Metal.) Solidified material in a furnace hearth. [1913 Webster]
  • Giant salamander. (Zool.) See under Giant.
  • Salamander's hair or Salamander's wool (Min.), a species of asbestos or mineral flax. [Obs.] --Bacon. [1913 Webster]