Newt \Newt\, n. [OE. ewt, evete, AS. efete, with n prefixed, an ewt being understood as a newt. Cf. {Eft}.] (Zo["o]l.) Any one of several species of small aquatic salamanders. The common British species are the crested newt ({Triton cristatus}) and the smooth newt ({Lophinus punctatus}). In America, {Diemictylus viridescens} is one of the most abundant species.