\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.