Meaning & use
caduceus
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A staff with two snakes wound around it and topped with wings, traditionally carried by the Greek god Hermes.
See it in a sentence
The caduceus, with its winged staff and twin serpents, appears on some medical insignia, even though it isn't the traditional symbol of medicine.
A caduceus is engraved on the front of the old pharmacy building.
A note on using this word
Frequently confused with the Rod of Asclepius, a single-snake staff that is the true traditional symbol of medicine; the caduceus is properly a symbol of commerce and messengers.
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