Salamander
WordNet
noun
(1) Any of various typically terrestrial amphibians that resemble lizards and that return to water only to breed
(2) Fire iron consisting of a metal rod with a handle; used to stir a fire
(3) Reptilian creature supposed to live in fire
WiktionaryText
Etymology
From Old French salamandre, from Latin salamandra, from Greek σαλαμάνδρα. Originating from (samandar): sām = fire, andarūn = within, as it was thought to be able to walk through fire.
Noun
- A (usually) terrestrial amphibian, resembling a lizard; taxonomic order Urodela
- A creature much like a lizard that is resistant to and lives in fire, hence the elemental being of fire.
- A metal utensil with a flat head which is heated and put over a dish to brown the top.
- 1977: The salamander, a fairly long metal utensil with a flat rounded head, was left in the fire until red hot and then used to brown the top of a dish without further cooking. — Richard Daunton-Fear and Penelope Vigar, Australian Colonial Cookery, Rigby, 1977, ISBN 0-7270-0187-6, page 41 (discussing 19th century cookery)
- In a professional kitchen a small broiler, used primarily for browning.
- The chef first put the steak under the salamander to sear the outside.
Verb
- To apply a salamander (flat iron utensil above) in a cooking process.
- 19th C.: When cold, sprinkle the custard thickly with sugar and salamander it. — a 19th century crème brûlée recipe quoted in Richard Daunton-Fear and Penelope Vigar, Australian Colonial Cookery, Rigby, 1977, ISBN 0-7270-0187-6, page 41
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