Dictionary entry

Caduceus

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Ca‐du″ce‐us (?), n. [L. caduceum, caduceus; akin to Gr. � a herald's wand, fr. � herald.] (Myth.) The official staff or wand of Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods. It was originally said to be a herald's staff of olive wood, but was afterwards fabled to have two serpents coiled about it, and two wings at the top.