gorgon

English

Wikipedia

Etymology

From Ancient Greek Γοργώ (Gorgō), from γοργός (gorgos, “terrible”).

Adjective

gorgon (comparative more gorgon, superlative most gorgon)

1. Like a gorgon; very ugly or terrifying.

Noun

gorgon (plural gorgons)

1. (Greek mythology) A vicious female monster from Greek mythology with sharp fangs and hair of living, venomous snakes.
2. An intimidating, ugly, or disgusting woman; anything hideous or horrid.

   (Can we find and add a quotation of Milton to this entry?)

   "Swilling martinis and spewing venom, Phyllis is a particularly unappetizing gorgon, telling us at one point that an acquaintance of hers is aroused by the Heimlich maneuver." — Washington Post, July 1, 2005

Translations

monster in Greek mythology

• Chinese:

  Mandarin: 戈耳工 (cmn) (gē'ěrgōng)

• German: Gorgo (de) f, Gorgone (de) f
• Greek:

  Ancient: Γοργώ (Gorgō) f

• Italian: Gorgone (it) f
• Japanese: ゴルゴン (ja) (gorugon)
• Polish: gorgona (pl) f
• Russian: горгона (ru) (gorgóna) f, медуза (ru) (medúza) f

intimidating, ugly or disgusting woman

• French: gorgone (fr) f

• Russian: мегера (ru) (megéra) f, горгона (ru) (gorgóna) f

References

• Chambers's Etymological Dictionary, 1896, p. 208

See also

• Medusa