catoblepas

Definition

A legendary creature from Ethiopia, said to have the body of a Cape buffalo, scales on its back, and the head of a wild boar, which always points downward because of its weight.

Etymology

Borrowed from Latin catōblepās, from Ancient Greek κᾰτῶβλεψ (kătôbleps), κᾰτωβλέπων (kătōblépōn), κᾰτώβλεπον (kătṓblepon, “down-looker”), from κᾰτᾰβλέπω (kătăblépō, “to look downwards”, from κᾰτᾰ́ (kătắ) + βλέπω (blépō)).

Example Sentences

• "Behind them, blindfolded and muzzled, came catoblepones."
• "The most obvious curseinflicting monsters that came to mind were Basilisks, Cockatrices, and Catoblepones."

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