A small lizard-like amphibian with a long tail and moist skin that lives in damp places, or a mythical fire-breathing creature.
From Greek 'salamandra' through Latin, possibly derived from Persian 'sam' (fire) and 'atar' (burning), reflecting ancient beliefs that these creatures could survive fire. Medieval Europeans thought they lived in flames.
Medieval people literally believed salamanders were fireproof because they'd sometimes see them scurry out of logs being thrown on fires—in reality, they were just escaping the heat, but this misconception influenced alchemy and heraldry for centuries!
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