medusa

noun

1. (Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus

Definition categories: person, gorgon

2. one of two forms that coelenterates take: it is the free-swimming sexual phase in the life cycle of a coelenterate; in this phase it has a gelatinous umbrella-shaped body and tentacles

Similar word(s): medusan, medusoid

Definition categories: animal, cnidarian, coelenterate