medusa

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

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

By appellativization from Medusa.

*Youth and the Bright Medusa. — The best British short stories of 1922, Unknown
Youth and the Bright Medusa. — The best short stories of 1920, and the yearbook of the American short story, Unknown
“The Medusa called yesterday?” he interrupted. — The Riddle of the Sands, Erskine Childers

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