n. [ L. caduceum, caduceus; akin to Gr. &unr_; a herald's wand, fr. &unr_; 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. [ 1913 Webster ]