Sēps, n.

n. [Lat. from Gr. σήψ, a putrefying sore, a venomous serpent, the bite of which caused putrefaction, from σήπειν, to make putrid.] (Zoöl.) A genus of snake-like lizards found in the East Indies, the Cape of Good Hope, and on the coasts of the Mediterranean, having an elongated body, short and indistinct feet, a non-extensile tongue, and scales covering the body like tiles.