Medusa
pronunciation
How to pronounce Medusa in British English:
UK 
How to pronounce Medusa in American English:
US
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- Noun:
- any of numerous usually marine and free-swimming coelenterates that constitute the sexually reproductive forms of hydrozoans and scyphozoans
- one of two forms that coelenterates take: is the free-swimming sexual stage in the life cycle of a coelenterate and has a gelatinous umbrella-shaped body and tentacles
Word Origin
- medusa (n.)
- "jellyfish," 1758, as genus name, from the name of one of the three Gorgons with snakes for hair, whose glance turned to stone him who looked upon it (attested in English from late 14c.). Her name is from Greek Medousa, literally "guardian," fem. present participle of the verb medein "to protect, rule over" (see Medea). The zoological name was chosen by Linnæus, suggested by the creature's long tentacles. Related: Medusoid.
Example
- 1. Imagine if medusa had conodonts instead of snakes .
- 2. The medusa nebula is estimated to be over 4 light-years across .
- 3. The earth itself became the raft of the medusa .
- 4. Medusa and perseus rapunzel and her prince all wrapped up in a potent little bundle .
- 5. The medusa 's transforming star is near the center of the overall bright crescent shape .