Also 4–5 amphibena, 6 -bene. [L., a. Gr. ἀμφίσβαινα, f. ἀμφίς both ways + βαίν-ειν to go. Cf. Fr. amphisbène.]
1. A fabled serpent of the ancients, with a head at each end, and able to move in either direction: retained by the moderns as a poetical conception.
1398. Trevisa, Barth. De P. R., XVIII. ix. (1495), 758. Some serpentes hath two heedys as the adder Alphibena [sic].
1572. Bossewell, Armorie, II. 63. The fielde is Sable, an Amphibene, heade to heade reflexed.
1627. Feltham, Resolves, II. i. (1677), 159. A corrupt Book is an Amphisbæna: A Serpent headed at either end: one bites him that reads, the other stings him that writes.
1667. Milton, P. L., X. 524. Complicated monsters head and taile, Scorpion, and Asp, and Amphisbæna dire.
1728. Pope, Dunciad, III. (1736), 201, note. Thus Amphisbæna (I have read) At either end assails; None knows which leads, or which is led, For both Heads are but Tails.
1788. Pasquin, Childr. Thespis (1792), 49. Like the vile Amphisbæna, his verses assail, For none can discover their head from their tail.
1878. Tennyson, Q. Mary, III. iv. 116. For heretic and traitor are all one: Two vipers of one breed—an amphisbæna, Each end a sting.
2. Zool. A worm-like genus of lizards found in America, having the two extremities so much alike that it is difficult to distinguish between the head and the tail.
1833. Penny Cycl., I. 467/2. In the amphisbæna … the upper jaw is fixed to the skull … as in birds and mammals.
1847. Carpenter, Zool., § 501. The Amphisbæna bores in the soft earth like a worm, working its way with considerable despatch; and it lives principally on Ants … and their larvæ.
