gorgon

Meaning

Noun

1. 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.

Adj

Like a gorgon; very ugly or terrifying.

Synonyms

crone

hag

harpy

harridan

petrifying

terrible

Hyphenated as

gor‧gon

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈɡɔːrɡən/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: gorgon

In summary

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.