In Greek mythology, a terrifying female monster with snakes for hair whose gaze turns people to stone; used to describe an ugly or frightening woman.
From Greek 'Gorgó' (the terrible one). Comes from Greek mythology, where Medusa was the most famous Gorgon. The word entered English through classical texts.
Medusa the Gorgon was originally portrayed as a beautiful woman—it was only later in Roman times that she became the monster with snakes—ancient stories change their villains dramatically over centuries.
Gorgons (Medusa, Stheno, Euryale) were originally powerful female deities in pre-Greek religion; Greek mythology reframed them as monstrous women whose gaze kills, conflating female power with monstrosity and threat.
When referencing the mythological figure, use accurately. When using metaphorically for 'frightening person,' examine whether gendering matters; often it doesn't, and neutral 'terrifying figure' is clearer.
["terrifying figure","powerful adversary","formidable opponent"]
Medusa in particular has been reclaimed by feminist scholarship as a symbol of violated agency; originally a protective deity, she was mythologized as a punishment narrative for female sexuality.
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