n.
Pronunciation: ' ba-s ə - ˌ lisk, ' ba-z ə -
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin basiliscus, from Greek basiliskos, from diminutive of basileus
Date: 14th century
1 : a legendary reptile with fatal breath and glance
2 : any of several crested tropical American lizards (genus Basiliscus of the family Iguanidae) related to the iguanas and noted for their ability to run on their hind legs