Definitions for: Medusa


[n] one of two forms that coelenterates take: is the free-swimming sexual stage in the life cycle of a coelenterate and has a gelatinous umbrella-shaped body and tentacles
[n] any of numerous usually marine and free-swimming coelenterates that constitute the sexually reproductive forms of hydrozoans and scyphozoans
[n] (Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus



Webster (1913) Definition: Me*du"sa, n. [L., fr. Gr. ?.]
1. (Class. Myth.) The Gorgon; or one of the Gorgons whose
hair was changed into serpents, after which all who looked
upon her were turned into stone.

2. [pl. Medusae.] (Zo["o]l.) Any free swimming acaleph; a
jellyfish.

Note: The larger medus[ae] belong to the Discophora, and are
sometimes called covered-eyed medus[ae]; others,
known as naked-eyed medus[ae], belong to the
Hydroidea, and are usually developed by budding from
hidroids. See Discophora, Hydroidea, and
Hydromedusa.

Medusa bud (Zo["o]l.), one of the buds of a hydroid,
destined to develop into a gonophore or medusa. See
Athecata, and Gonotheca.

Medusa's head.
(a) (Zo["o]l.) An astrophyton.
(b) (Astron.) A cluster of stars in the constellation
Perseus. It contains the bright star Algol.

Synonyms: jellyfish, medusan

See Also: Aegina, Chrysaora quinquecirrha, Cnidaria, cnidarian, Coelenterata, coelenterate, Gorgon, phylum Cnidaria, phylum Coelenterata

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