Basiliscine

/bəˈsɪlɪsˌkaɪn/ adjective

Definition

Of, relating to, or characteristic of a basilisk; having the nature or qualities attributed to a basilisk.

Etymology

From basilisk plus the Latin suffix '-ine' (of or relating to). This is the formal scientific-sounding adjective form.

Kelly Says

Basiliscine eyes became a literary device to describe someone with a poisonous stare—authors borrowed this from the ancient belief that basilisks killed by looking, which might come from people's real fear of venomous snakes.

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