basilisk

n. [ L. basiliscus, Gr. basili`skos little king, kind of serpent, dim. of basiley`s king; -- so named from some prominences on the head resembling a crown. ] 1. A fabulous serpent, or dragon. The ancients alleged that its hissing would drive away all other serpents, and that its breath, and even its look, was fatal. See Cockatrice. [ 1913 Webster ]

Make me not sighted like the basilisk. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. (Zool.) A lizard of the genus Basiliscus, belonging to the family Iguanidæ. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ This genus is remarkable for a membranous bag rising above the occiput, which can be filled with air at pleasure; also for an elevated crest along the back, that can be raised or depressed at will. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. (Mil.) A large piece of ordnance, so called from its supposed resemblance to the serpent of that name, or from its size. [ Obs. ] [ 1913 Webster ]