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Basilisk

1910 New Catholic Dictionary

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Dictionaries
Easton's Bible Dictionary
• Basilisk
Hastings' BibleDictionary
• Basilisk
1910 New Catholic Dictionary
• Basilisk
Webster Dictionary
• Basilisk
Encyclopedias
1911 Encyclopedia Britannica
• Basilisk
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
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McClintock and Strong's Bible Encyclopedia
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The Jewish Encyclopedia
• Basilisk

(Greek: basiliskos, little king)

A fabulous monster formerly believed to exist in Africa and sometimes identified with the cockatrice. Its breath and even its look were reputed fatal, it being successfully combated only by the weasel or by means of a mirror. It is described as about a foot long, black and red in color, with a white, crown-like spot on the head, whence its name. It is referred to in the Bible, under the names of adder, asp, cobra, flying serpent, and viper (Isaiah 59).