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The Collaborative International Dictionary
Salamander's hair

Salamander \Sal"a*man`der\, n. [F. salamandre, L. salamandra, Gr. ?; cf. Per. samander, samandel.]

  1. (Zo["o]l.) Any one of numerous species of Urodela, belonging to Salamandra, Amblystoma, Plethodon, and various allied genera, especially those that are more or less terrestrial in their habits.

    Note: The salamanders have, like lizards, an elongated body, four feet, and a long tail, but are destitute of scales. They are true Amphibia, related to the frogs. Formerly, it was a superstition that the salamander could live in fire without harm, and even extinguish it by the natural coldness of its body.

    I have maintained that salamander of yours with fire any time this two and thirty years.
    --Shak.

    Whereas it is commonly said that a salamander extinguisheth fire, we have found by experience that on hot coals, it dieth immediately.
    --Sir T. Browne.

  2. (Zo["o]l.) The pouched gopher ( Geomys tuza) of the Southern United States.

  3. A culinary utensil of metal with a plate or disk which is heated, and held over pastry, etc., to brown it.

  4. A large poker. [Prov. Eng.]
    --Halliwell.

  5. (Metal.) Solidified material in a furnace hearth.

    Giant salamander. (Zo["o]l.) See under Giant.

    Salamander's hair or Salamander's wool (Min.), a species of asbestos or mineral flax. [Obs.]
    --Bacon.