Definition of "caduceus" [ca•du•ce•us]

• A herald's wand or staff, especially in ancient times. (noun)
• Greek Mythology A winged staff with two serpents twined around it, carried by Hermes. (noun)
• An insignia modeled on Hermes's staff and used as the symbol of the medical profession. (noun)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

• "Except when incorporated as part of the cap device, the corps device shall be so place on the uniform that the staff of the caduceus is vertical and the anchor is pointing inward."
• "Except when incorporated as part of the cap device, the corps device shall be so placed on the uniform that the staff of the caduceus is vertical and the anchor is pointing inward."
• "The caduceus was a symbol of healing, and the card spoke to her of alliances, of a balanced partnership."