gorgon

From Middle English gorgon, from Latin Gorgō, from Ancient Greek Γοργώ (Gorgṓ), from γοργός (gorgós, “terrible”). Possibly from the same root as the Sanskrit word "garğ" (गर्जन), which is defined as a guttural sound, similar to the growling of a beast, thus possibly originating as an onomatopoeia.^[1]

• IPA^(key): /ˈɡɔːrɡən/

• Audio (Southern England):

  (file)

• Hyphenation: gor‧gon

gorgon (plural gorgons)

1. (Greek mythology) A vicious female monster from Greek mythology with sharp fangs and hair of living, venomous snakes. One of the three sisters: Medusa, Stheno and Euryale
2. An intimidating, ugly, or disgusting woman; anything hideous or horrid.
   • 1670, John Dryden, The Conquest of Granada:

     I'll shrowd this Gorgon from all humane view.

   • 2005 July 1, Washington Post:

     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.

gorgon (not comparable)

1. Like a gorgon; very ugly or terrifying.

• Medusa

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

• Gorgon

Borrowed from Latin Gorgō, from Ancient Greek Γοργώ (Gorgṓ).

• IPA^(key): /ɡɔrˈɡoːn/, /ˈɡɔrɡɔn/

gorgon (plural gorgones)

1. (rare) gorgon

• English: gorgon (obsolete)

• “Gorgon, n.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.