Definitions for medusa
məˈdu sə, -zə, -ˈdyu-medusa

Princeton's WordNetRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Medusanoun

   (Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus

2. medusa, medusoid, medusannoun

   one of two forms that coelenterates take: it is the free-swimming sexual phase in the life cycle of a coelenterate; in this phase it has a gelatinous umbrella-shaped body and tentacles

WiktionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 1 vote

1. Medusanoun

   The only mortal of the three gorgon sisters. She is killed by Perseus.

2. medusanoun

   Special form that cnidarians may turn into.

3. Etymology: From Μέδουσα.

WikipediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Medusa

   In Greek mythology, Medusa (; Ancient Greek: Μέδουσα "guardian, protectress"), also called Gorgo, was one of the three monstrous Gorgons, generally described as winged human females with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Those who gazed into her eyes would turn to stone. Most sources describe her as the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto, although the author Hyginus makes her the daughter of Gorgon and Ceto.Medusa was beheaded by the Greek hero Perseus, who then used her head, which retained its ability to turn onlookers to stone, as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield. In classical antiquity, the image of the head of Medusa appeared in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion. According to Hesiod and Aeschylus, she lived and died on Sarpedon, somewhere near Cisthene. The 2nd-century BC novelist Dionysios Skytobrachion puts her somewhere in Libya, where Herodotus had said the Berbers originated her myth as part of their religion.

ChatGPTRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. medusa

   A medusa is a type of form in certain animal species, generally associated with the Cnidaria phylum, that is free-swimming and often umbrella-shaped. This form is most recognized in creatures like jellyfish. The term “medusa” is also used in Greek mythology to refer to Medusa, one of the three Gorgons who could turn anyone who looked directly at her into stone. However, in a scientific context, it generally refers to the zoological definition.

Webster DictionaryRate this definition:5.0 / 2 votes

1. Medusanoun

   the Gorgon; or one of the Gorgons whose hair was changed into serpents, after which all who looked upon her were turned into stone

2. Medusanoun

   any free swimming acaleph; a jellyfish

3. Etymology: [L., fr. Gr. .]

WikidataRate this definition:1.0 / 1 vote

1. Medusa

   In Greek mythology Medusa was a monster, a Gorgon, generally described as having the face of a hideous human female with living venomous snakes in place of hair. Gazing directly upon her would turn onlookers to stone. Most sources describe her as the daughter of Phorcys and Ceto, though the author Hyginus interposes a generation and gives Medusa another chthonic pair as parents. Medusa was beheaded by the hero Perseus, who thereafter used her head as a weapon until he gave it to the goddess Athena to place on her shield. In classical antiquity the image of the head of Medusa appeared in the evil-averting device known as the Gorgoneion.

Chambers 20th Century DictionaryRate this definition:4.0 / 1 vote

1. Medusa

   me-dū′sa, n. one of the three Gorgons, whose head, cut off by Perseus, and placed in the ægis of Minerva, had the power of turning those who looked on it into stone: the name given to the common kinds of jelly-fishes, prob. from the likeness of their tentacles to the snakes on Medusa's head:—pl. Medū′sæ, a division of hydrozoans.—adjs. Medū′siform, Medū′soid—also ns. [Gr., 'ruler,' fem.]

The Nuttall EncyclopediaRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Medusa

   one of the three Gorgons (q. v.), is fabled to have been originally a woman of rare beauty, with a magnificent head of hair, but having offended Athena, that goddess changed her hair into hideous serpents, and gave to her eyes the power of turning any one into stone who looked into them; Perseus (q. v.) cut off her head by the help of Athena, who afterwards wore it on the middle of her breastplate or shield.

Suggested ResourcesRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. medusa

   Song lyrics by medusa -- Explore a large variety of song lyrics performed by medusa on the Lyrics.com website.

MythologyRate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Medusa

   (Medu′sa). One of the Gorgons. Minerva changed her beautiful hair into serpents. She was conquered by Perseus, who cut off her head, and placed it on Minerva’s shield. Every one who looked at the head was turned into stone. Ulysses, in the Odyssey, relates that he wished to see more of the inhabitants of Hades, but was afraid, as he says — “Lest Gorgon, rising from the infernal lakes, With horrors armed, and curls of hissing snakes, Should fix me, stiffened at the monstrous sight, A stony image in eternal night.” (Pope.)

   “Medusa with Gorgonian terror guards The ford.” (Milton.)

   “Remove that horrid monster, and take hence Medusa’s petrifying countenance.” (Addison.)

Who Was Who?Rate this definition:0.0 / 0 votes

1. Medusa

   A celebrated ancient who had the delirium tremens in an acute stage.

Matched Categories

1. • Gorgon
   • Greek Mythology
   • Coelenterate

Anagrams for medusa »

1. amused

2. masdeu

How to pronounce medusa?

1. Alex

   US English

   David

   US English

   Mark

   US English

   Daniel

   British

   Libby

   British

   Mia

   British

   Karen

   Australian

   Hayley

   Australian

   Natasha

   Australian

   Veena

   Indian

   Priya

   Indian

   Neerja

   Indian

   Zira

   US English

   Oliver

   British

   Wendy

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   Fred

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   Tessa

   South African

How to say medusa in sign language?

Numerology

1. Chaldean Numerology

   The numerical value of medusa in Chaldean Numerology is: 5

2. Pythagorean Numerology

   The numerical value of medusa in Pythagorean Numerology is: 9

Popularity rank by frequency of use

References

1. ^ Princeton's WordNet
   http://wordnetweb.princeton.edu/perl/webwn?s=medusa
2. ^ Wiktionary
   https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/Medusa
3. ^ Wikipedia
   https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Medusa
4. ^ ChatGPT
   https://chat.openai.com
5. ^ Webster Dictionary
   https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/medusa
6. ^ Wikidata
   https://www.wikidata.org/w/index.php?search=medusa
7. ^ Chambers 20th Century Dictionary
   https://www.gutenberg.org/files/37683/37683-h/37683-h.htm#:~:text=medusa
8. ^ The Nuttall Encyclopedia
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/12342/pg12342-images.html#Medusa
9. ^ Mythology
   https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/42474/pg42474-images.html#:~:text=medusa
10. ^ Who Was Who?
    https://www.gutenberg.org/cache/epub/984/pg984-images.html#:~:text=medusa