Dracunculus
/drəˈkʌŋkjʊləs/noun
A small dragon or serpent; also the Latin name used for certain serpent-like creatures and for the Guinea worm in scientific usage.
Did you know?In medieval and medical Latin, *dracunculus* could refer both to a tiny dragon-like creature and to the Guinea worm, showing how ancient people mapped disease onto monstrous imagery.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*derḱ- / *derk-
“To see, look at; the root behind the idea of a staring, glaring serpent or dragon in later languages.”
Ancient Greek
Greek
δράκων (drákōn)
“A serpent, especially a large or formidable one; later a dragon.”
Classical Latin
Latin
draco
“A dragon, serpent, or snake-like creature.”
Late Latin
Latin
dracunculus
“A little dragon; also used for certain worm-like creatures.”
Medieval Latin to English
Latin/English
dracunculus
“Passed into learned medical and zoological usage, especially for the Guinea worm.”