hydra
pronunciation
How to pronounce hydra in British English:
UK [ˈhaɪdrə]
How to pronounce hydra in American English:
US ['haɪdrə]
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- Noun:
- trouble that cannot be overcome by a single effort because of its many aspects or its persistent and pervasive quality
- small tubular solitary freshwater hydrozoan polyp
Word Origin
- hydra (n.)
- 1835, genus name of a freshwater polyp, from Greek Hydra, many-headed Lernaean water serpent slain by Hercules (this sense is attested in English from late 14c.), from hydor "water" (see water (n.1)); related to Sanskrit udrah "aquatic animal" and Old English ottur "otter." Used figuratively for "any multiplicity of evils" [Johnson]. The fabulous beast's heads were said to grown back double when cut off, and the sea creature is said to be so called for its regenerative capabilities.
Example
- 1. If you 're like me , the list of books you want to read is a hydra .
- 2. Why did you betray shield to hydra ?
- 3. Like jellyfish or hydra polyps , they always elude our grasp in some fundamental sense .
- 4. Week of hydra : double growth for hydra and chao hydras .
- 5. The temperature affects on sprouting rate of hydra robusta .