name
Medusa
mih-DYOO-suh
name
1
In Greek mythology, a monstrous figure with living snakes for hair whose gaze turned onlookers to stone; the only mortal of the three Gorgon sisters, slain by the hero Perseus.
"Perseus used his shield as a mirror to avoid Medusa's deadly gaze."
noun
1
The free-swimming, umbrella-shaped form of a jellyfish.
"The medusa stage is when the jellyfish drifts and swims rather than staying attached to a surface."
How to Use Medusa
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishEither the snake-haired monster of Greek myth, or the scientific term for the swimming form of a jellyfish.
Word Forms
medusas plural, medusae plural, medusæ plural
Study it as flashcards or scroll it in Flow — saved to your collection.
Test yourself on “Medusa”
A quick quiz — meaning, synonyms & usage
→
Fill the Gap
Can you complete this real example?
Perseus used his shield as a mirror to avoid _____'s deadly gaze.
Etymology
From Latin Medūsa, from Greek Μέδουσα (Médousa), related to a verb meaning "to rule" or "to protect."