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Noun: medusa (medusae,medusas)  mu'd(y)oo-su
  1. One of two forms that coelenterates take: it is the free-swimming sexual phase in the life cycle of a coelenterate; in this phase it has a gelatinous umbrella-shaped body and tentacles
    "The box jellyfish is a dangerous medusa";
    - medusoid, medusan
Noun: Medusa  mu'd(y)oo-su
  1. (Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus

Derived forms: medusae, medusas, Medusas

Type of: cnidarian, coelenterate, Gorgon

Part of: Cnidaria, Coelenterata, phylum Cnidaria, phylum Coelenterata

Encyclopedia: Medusa, New York