Illustration of caduceus
- caduceus 1
caduceus
noun
ca·du·ceus
kə-ˈdü-sē-əs 
-ˈdyü-,
-shəs
plural caducei
kə-ˈdü-sē-ˌī
-ˈdyü-,
-shē-
1
: the symbolic staff of a herald
specifically
: a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top
2
: a medical insignia bearing a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top:
a
: one sometimes used to symbolize a physician but often considered to be an erroneous representation compare staff of asclepius
b
: the emblem of a medical corps or a department of the armed services (as of the United States Army)
Did you know?
The Greek god Hermes, who served as herald and messenger to the other gods, carried a winged staff entwined with two snakes. The staff of Aesculapius, the god of healing, had one snake and no wings. The word caduceus, from Latin, is a modification of Greek karykeion, from karyx, meaning "herald." Strictly speaking, caduceus should refer only to the staff of the herald-god Hermes (Mercury to the Romans), but in practice the word is often applied to the one-snake staff as well. You might logically expect the staff of Aesculapius to be the symbol of the medical profession—and indeed, that is the symbol used by the American Medical Association. But you will also quite frequently see the true caduceus used as a medical symbol.
Examples of caduceus in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The researchers think that the complete statue once depicted the god in a standing position, either draped in a short cloak or nude and holding a staff known as a caduceus with two snakes spiraling around it.
—
Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
The caduceus, the staff of the Greek god Hermes, bears a pair of wings at the top, a representation of his speed.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023
What saves the day in Dracula is not the medical caduceus but the cross.
—Jeremy Dauber, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2022
The caduceus is the magic wand carried by Hermes, who the Romans knew as Mercury, the messenger of the gods.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 15 June 2022
The caduceus of the RAF Medics is a brilliant shape—and an international symbol for medicine everywhere.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2021
Union officials said that removing the caduceus — the traditional symbol of medicine featuring two serpents wrapped around a staff — from the uniforms lapel and making name patches optional will only further erode public trust.
—Libor Jany, Star Tribune, 7 July 2021
Or, try Cameron's other outfit featuring a caduceus T-shirt and suspenders.
—Tierney McAfee, Country Living, 14 July 2020
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Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 Feb. 2024
The caduceus, the staff of the Greek god Hermes, bears a pair of wings at the top, a representation of his speed.
—Phil Thompson, Chicago Tribune, 5 Feb. 2023
What saves the day in Dracula is not the medical caduceus but the cross.
—Jeremy Dauber, The Atlantic, 31 Oct. 2022
The caduceus is the magic wand carried by Hermes, who the Romans knew as Mercury, the messenger of the gods.
—Kyle Roderick, Forbes, 15 June 2022
The caduceus of the RAF Medics is a brilliant shape—and an international symbol for medicine everywhere.
—Eric Twardzik, Robb Report, 28 Dec. 2021
Union officials said that removing the caduceus — the traditional symbol of medicine featuring two serpents wrapped around a staff — from the uniforms lapel and making name patches optional will only further erode public trust.
—Libor Jany, Star Tribune, 7 July 2021
Or, try Cameron's other outfit featuring a caduceus T-shirt and suspenders.
—Tierney McAfee, Country Living, 14 July 2020
Dictionary Entries Near caduceus
Cite this Entry
“Caduceus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/caduceus. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
caduceus
noun
ca·du·ceus
kə-ˈd(y)ü-sē-əs
-shəs
plural caducei
-sē-ˌī
1
: a figure of a staff with two snakes wound around it and two wings at the top
2
: an emblem bearing a caduceus and symbolizing a physician
Medical Definition
caduceus
noun
ca·du·ceus
kə-ˈd(y)ü-sē-əs, -shəs
plural caducei
-sē-ˌī
: a medical insignia bearing a representation of a staff with two entwined snakes and two wings at the top:
a
: one sometimes used to symbolize a physician but often considered to be an erroneous representation compare staff of asclepius
b
: the emblem of a medical corps or a department of the armed services (as of the United States Army)
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