mid-14c., "legendary lizard-like creature that can live in fire," from Old French salamandre "legendary fiery beast," also "cricket" (12c.), from Latin salamandra, from Greek salamandra, probably of eastern origin.
The application in zoology to a tailed amphibian (known natively as an eft or newt) is first recorded 1610s. Aristotle, and especially Pliny, are responsible for the fiction of an animal that thrives in and extinguishes fires. The eft lives in damp logs and secretes a milky substance when threatened, but there is no obvious natural explanation its connection with the myth.
Also used 18c. for "a woman who lives chastely in the midst of temptations" (after Addison), and "a soldier who exposes himself to fire in battle." To rub someone a salamander was a 19c. form of German student drinking toast (einem einen salamander reiben). Related: Salamandrine; salamandroid.
实用例句
1. European salamander having dark skin with usually yellow spots.
黑色皮肤上通常有黄色斑点的欧洲蝾螈.
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2. The giant salamander feeds largely on fish and shrimps.
食物主要以活鱼活虾为主.
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3. A maroon - and - orange salamander stalks across my path - a miniature dinosaur on a mission.
一只褐红和橙黄相杂的蝾螈悄悄地在我所走的小径上横着爬了过去 - 一只正在执行任务的小型恐龙.
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4. European cave - dwelling aquatic salamander with permanent external gills.
长有永久性外部鳃的欧洲穴居水栖蝾螈.
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5. A salamander scurries into flame to be destroyed.
