| 释义 |
† ˈscytal(e Obs.
Also 6 scitale, 7 scytal(l, scythale.
[ad. L. scytalē (med.L. scitalus), a. Gr. σκυτάλη, app. a use of σκυτάλη staff: see next.
Owing to a misreading of σκυτάλην for µυγάλην in Columella vi. xvii (ed. Stephanus 1543), the word was frequently supposed to have the sense of shrew-mouse.
In mod. zoological Latin scytalē is used as the name of a genus of snakes (the type of the order Scytalidæ), and also as the specific name of a coral-snake (Tortrix scytale).]
A serpent mentioned by ancient writers, described as resembling a round staff of uniform thickness. Also, a figure of this as a heraldic bearing.
1572J. Bossewell Armorie ii. 62 O beareth Argente, on a Pale Vert, a Scitale, proper. This serpente is so called, because he shinethe with suche diuersitie of speckles vpon his backe, that all that looke thereon haue wonder, and likinge to see him. 1608Topsell Serpents 232 This Scytall is very full of markes or spots vppon the back so variable and delectable, that it possesseth the beholders with admiration. 1613Purchas Pilgrimage vi. i. 467 The Scythale is admirable in her varied jacket. 1677Gilpin Demonol. (1867) 421 No otherwise doth he keep them at a gazing admiration of worldly pomp,..than the serpent Scytale doth with passengers, whom she stays, by amazing them with her beautiful colours, till she have stung them. 1770J. & W. Langhorne Plutarch, M. Crassus III. 465 His army resembled the serpents called Scytalae. |