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gorgon

noun
gor·​gon | \ ˈgȯr-gən How to pronounce gorgon (audio) \

Definition of gorgon

1 capitalized : any of three snake-haired sisters in Greek mythology whose appearance turns the beholder to stone
2 : an ugly or repulsive woman
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Other Words from gorgon

Gorgonian \ gȯr-​ˈgō-​nē-​ən How to pronounce Gorgonian (audio) \ adjective

Did You Know?

The Gorgons were three monstrous sisters in Greek mythology, the most famous of whom was Medusa. They had snakes for hair, and anyone who looked directly at them was immediately turned to stone. Medusa herself was finally beheaded by the hero Perseus, who avoided looking straight at her by instead watching her reflection in his mirrorlike shield. Today the familiar types of jellyfish, with long snakelike tentacles descending from their headlike bodies, are known as medusas.

First Known Use of gorgon

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for gorgon

Latin Gorgon-, Gorgo, from Greek Gorgōn

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Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about gorgon

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