medusa

¹

[ muh-doo-suh, -zuh, -dyoo- ]

noun

, Zoology.

, plural me·du·sas, me·du·sae [m, uh, -, doo, -see, -zee, -, dyoo, -].

1. a saucer-shaped or dome-shaped, free-swimming jellyfish or hydra.

Medusa

²

[ muh-doo-suh, -zuh, -dyoo- ]

noun

, Classical Mythology.

, plural Me·du·sas.

1. the only mortal of the three Gorgons. She was killed by Perseus, and her head was mounted upon the aegis of Zeus and Athena.

Medusa

¹

/ mɪˈdjuːzə /

noun

1. Greek myth a mortal woman who was transformed by Athena into one of the three Gorgons. Her appearance was so hideous that those who looked directly at her were turned to stone. Perseus eventually slew her See also Pegasus 1

medusa

²

/ mɪˈdjuːzə /

noun

1. another name for jellyfish jellyfish
2. Also calledmedusoidmedusan one of the two forms in which a coelenterate exists. It has a jelly-like umbrella-shaped body, is free swimming, and produces gametes Compare polyp

medusa

/ mĭ-do̅o̅′sə /

, Plural medusas mĭ-do̅o̅′sē

1. A cnidarian in its free-swimming stage. Medusas are bell-shaped, with tentacles hanging down around a central mouth. Jellyfish are medusas, while corals and sea anemones lack a medusa stage and exist only as polyps.
2. Compare polyp

Medusa

1. The best known of the monster Gorgons of classical mythology ; people who looked at her would turn to stone. A hero, Perseus , was able to kill Medusa, aiming his sword by looking at her reflection in a highly polished shield.

Derived Forms

• Meˈdusan, adjective
• meˈdusan, adjective

Other Words From

• me·du·soid [m, uh, -, doo, -soid, -, dyoo, -], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of medusa¹

1750–60; special use of Medusa, alluding to the Gorgon's snaky locks

Origin of medusa²

< Latin < Greek Médousa, special use of médousa, feminine of médōn ruling

Word History and Origins

Origin of medusa¹

C18: from the likeness of its tentacles to the snaky locks of Medusa

Example Sentences

The legend goes that Perseus defeated Medusa with limited use of sight.

From Popular-Science

For October, it’s Jess Zimmerman’s “Women and Other Monsters,” which recenters mythological characters, such as Medusa and the Harpies, through a feminist lens.

From Washington Post

The devices, called “Medusa,” use a combination of four microphones and two cameras to maps noise levels when sounds exceed a certain decibel level, like a motorcycle backfiring or an engine revving.

From Quartz

In Greek mythology, the Gorgon Medusa had the face of a woman and poisonous snakes for hair; her glance could turn men to stone.

From The Daily Beast

Medusa-emblazoned harnesses, stylish rock concert tees, and blaring rap music.

From The Daily Beast

Editor's note: An earlier version of this article confused the monster Hydra with Medusa.

From The Daily Beast

Shannel (Season 1) I love that outfit—the Medusa with the snakes.

From The Daily Beast

At Versace, the best elements were tie-dyed prints in blue with a signature Medusa seemingly floating amid a summer sky.

From The Daily Beast

Among these are "Medusa," a bronze bust; and a "Mater Dolorosa," in terra-cotta.

From Project Gutenberg

A shark was also taken, eleven feet long; and many curious specimens of crustacea and medusa were obtained by the towing-net.

From Project Gutenberg

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

From Project Gutenberg

It did not take long for the hero who had slain Medusa to kill the unlawful claimant, and reinstate his grandfather.

From Project Gutenberg

Some distance away lay the other two Gorgons, Medusa's sisters, but the young hero had no thought for them.

From Project Gutenberg