Caducei: meaning, definitions and examples
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caducei
[ kəˈdjuːsiəs ]
mythology symbol
The caduceus is a symbol that traditionally depicts two snakes entwined around a winged staff. This symbol is often associated with Hermes, the ancient Greek messenger god, and is frequently used as a representation of commerce and negotiation. In modern usage, the caduceus is sometimes mistakenly used to represent medicine and healthcare, although the Rod of Asclepius, which features a single snake, is the more accurate symbol for healing. The caduceus has become an emblem often seen in logos and emblems related to the medical profession.
Synonyms
Staff of Hermes, messenger's staff.
Examples of usage
- The caduceus is often used in medical insignias.
- Many people confuse the caduceus with the Rod of Asclepius.
- In ancient Greece, the caduceus symbolized commerce.
Translations
Translations of the word "caducei" in other languages:
🇵🇹 caduceu
🇮🇳 कडुसीय
🇩🇪 Caduceus
🇮🇩 caduceus
🇺🇦 кадуцей
🇵🇱 kaduceusz
🇯🇵 カドゥケウス
🇫🇷 caducée
🇪🇸 caduceo
🇹🇷 caduceus
🇰🇷 카두케우스
🇸🇦 كادوسيوس
🇨🇿 kaduceus
🇸🇰 kaduceus
🇨🇳 凯杜斯
🇸🇮 kaducej
🇮🇸 kaduceus
🇰🇿 кадуцей
🇬🇪 კადუციუსი
🇦🇿 kaduceus
🇲🇽 caduceo
Etymology
The word 'caduceus' originated from the Latin 'caduceus', which in turn was derived from the Greek word 'kerykeion', meaning 'herald's staff'. Historically, the caduceus has been attributed to Hermes in Greek mythology, who served as the messenger of the gods. The symbol itself, featuring two snakes and wings, represents communication, balance, and commerce, reflecting Hermes' role as the god of trade and eloquence. Due to its association with Hermes, the caduceus has been adopted in various contexts, including as an emblem for various organizations, advertising, and even the military. Despite the confusion with the Rod of Asclepius, its use in modern healthcare imagery primarily emerged around the 19th century, when it became more prominent in military medical contexts and subsequently in civilian medical ones.
Word Frequency Rank
With rank #43,544, this word is among the least frequently used in common English. Understanding it can be beneficial for comprehensive language mastery, but it's not essential for most learners.