name
Medusa
mih-DYOO-suh
Medusa (name) means 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. Example: “Perseus used his shield as a mirror to avoid Medusa's deadly gaze.”
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.
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Word forms
- Plural
- medusas, medusae, medusæ
Fill the gap
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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."
Synonyms
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medusoid
medusan
Rhymes for Medusa
See all rhymes for Medusa →Frequently asked questions
What does “Medusa” mean?
The word “Medusa” means 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. In plain terms, either the snake-haired monster of Greek myth, or the scientific term for the swimming form of a jellyfish.
How do you pronounce “Medusa”?
“Medusa” is pronounced mih-DYOO-suh (/məˈduːsə/ in IPA).
How do you use “Medusa” in a sentence?
Here is “Medusa” used in a sentence: “Perseus used his shield as a mirror to avoid Medusa's deadly gaze.”
What part of speech is “Medusa”?
Depending on how it is used, “Medusa” can be a name and a noun.
Where does the word “Medusa” come from?
The word “Medusa” comes from Latin. From Latin Medūsa, from Greek Μέδουσα (Médousa), related to a verb meaning "to rule" or "to protect.".
How many meanings does “Medusa” have?
“Medusa” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: 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.
