Ca*du"ce*us (?), n. [L. caduceum, caduceus; akin to Gr. a herald's wand, fr. herald.] Myth.
The official staff or wand of Hermes or Mercury, the messenger of the gods. It was originally said to be a herald's staff of olive wood, but was afterwards fabled to have two serpents coiled about it, and two wings at the top.
© Webster 1913.