Advertisement

Advertisement

Perseus

[ pur-see-uhs, -syoos ]

noun

, genitive Per·se·i [pur, -see-ahy]
  1. Classical Mythology. a hero, the son of Zeus and Danaë, who slew the Gorgon Medusa, and afterward saved Andromeda from a sea monster.
  2. Astronomy. a northern constellation between Cassiopeia and Taurus, containing the variable star Algol.


Perseus

1

/ ˈpɜːsɪəs /

noun

  1. Greek myth a son of Zeus and Danaë, who with Athena's help slew the Gorgon Medusa and rescued Andromeda from a sea monster


Perseus

2

/ ˈpɜːsɪəs /

noun

  1. a conspicuous constellation in the N hemisphere lying between Auriga and Cassiopeia and crossed by the Milky Way. It contains the eclipsing binary, Algol, and a rich cluster of galaxies

Perseus

/ pûrsē-əs /

  1. A constellation in the Northern Hemisphere near Andromeda and Auriga.


Perseus

  1. A hero of classical mythology who killed the Gorgon Medusa . The god Hermes and goddess Athena helped him in this brave deed by giving him winged shoes, a magical sword, and a polished shield. With the help of these, he swooped down on Medusa from the air, used the shield as a mirror, and cut off her head without looking at it directly — for anyone who looked at a Gorgon turned to stone.


Discover More

Example Sentences

Reprinted courtesy of Da Capo Press, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

Sam Worthington brought a new machismo to the role of Perseus, once played with androgynous flare by Harry Hamlin.

The folks at Perseus Books Group crash-published Book: The Sequel in a 48-hour frenzy at Book Expo America this year.

Excerpted by arrangement with PublicAffairs, a member of the Perseus Books Group.

After all, Garnache's appearance was hardly suggestive of the role of Perseus which had been thrust upon him.

Whoever looked at Medusa was turned into stone, but Perseus, by the aid of enchantment, slew her.

Hercules, Bacchus, and Perseus were gods born by mortal mothers.

To this city Perseus had repaired with the view of distinguishing himself among the combatants.

To this monster Polydectes sent the young Perseus, feeling sure that he would never return home alive.

Advertisement

Word of the Day

tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

Meaning and examples

Start each day with the Word of the Day in your inbox!

By clicking "Sign Up", you are accepting Dictionary.com Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policies.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


PersesPerseus cluster