salamander
    n 1: any of various typically terrestrial amphibians that
         resemble lizards and that return to water only to breed
    2: reptilian creature supposed to live in fire
    3: fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to
       stir a fire [syn: poker, stove poker, fire hook,
       salamander]

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]

SALAMANDER, n.  Originally a reptile inhabiting fire; later, an
anthropomorphous immortal, but still a pyrophile.  Salamanders are now
believed to be extinct, the last one of which we have an account
having been seen in Carcassonne by the Abbe Belloc, who exorcised it
with a bucket of holy water.