basilisk
バジリスク（怪物）
解説 Definition
伝説上の蛇の王で、視線だけで相手を殺す力を持つとされる怪物。
A basilisk is a creature from myth and fantasy, usually described as a dangerous reptile or snake-like monster. In many stories, it can kill or harm people with its look, breath, or poison. The word is mainly used in legends, fantasy books, and games.
覚え方のコツ Memory Tip
fantasy作品やRPGで basilisk を見たら、まず「蛇・爬虫類系の怪物」と置き、その次に「最大の武器は牙ではなく視線」と重ねて覚えると定着しやすいです。dragon や serpent のような普通名詞ではなく、固有のモンスター名として出やすい語。Medusa が「石化」、basilisk は「見ただけで死・致命傷」と対比すると混同しにくく、"the basilisk's gaze" のように gaze と一緒に覚えると場面ごと記憶に残ります。
Think of `basilisk` as a special fantasy monster name, not a general word like `dragon` or `serpent`. A strong memory hook is `the basilisk's gaze` because this creature is often linked with deadly eyes, not just teeth or claws. Remember it by contrasting it with Medusa: both are famous monsters, but the eye power is described differently.
例文
According to legend, the basilisk could kill with a single glance.
伝説によると、バジリスクは一瞥で相手を殺すことができた。
The hero used a mirror to reflect the basilisk's deadly gaze back at it.
勇者は鏡を使ってバジリスクの致命的な視線を跳ね返した。
Medieval bestiaries described the basilisk as the king of serpents.
中世の動物誌はバジリスクを蛇の王と記述していた。
basilisk の類義語・関連語
紛らわしい語
basilisk の語源・成り立ち Etymology
basilisk はギリシャ語 basiliskos「小さな王」に由来し、basil-「王」+ -iskos「小さい」でできています。頭の冠のような印から「王」の名が付いたとされ、怪物なのにどこか威厳があるのはこのためです。basilica や Basil も同じ語根です。
"Basilisk" comes from Greek "basiliskos," meaning "little king." It is built from a root meaning "king" plus a small-form ending. The name was probably given because the creature was imagined as having a crown-like mark, so a word for royalty became the name of a legendary serpent; related English words include "basilica" and the name "Basil."
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