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The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 (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.
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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.
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I have maintained that salamander of yours with
fire any time this two and thirty years. --Shak.
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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.
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2. (Zool.) The pouched gopher ({Geomys tuza}) of the Southern
United States.
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3. A culinary utensil of metal with a plate or disk which is
heated, and held over pastry, etc., to brown it.
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4. A large poker. [Prov. Eng.] --Halliwell.
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5. (Metal.) Solidified material in a furnace hearth.
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{Giant salamander}. (Zool.) See under {Giant}.

{Salamander's hair} or {Salamander's wool} (Min.), a species
of asbestos or mineral flax. [Obs.] --Bacon.
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