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Gorgons
GorgonsThe Gorgons, three terrifying creatures in Greek mythology, were sisters named Stheno (strength), Euryale (wide-leaping), and Medusa (ruler or queen). Daughters of the sea god Phorcys and his sister and wife, Ceto, they lived in the west near the setting sun. According to legend, the Gorgons were ugly monsters with huge wings, sharp fangs and claws, and bodies covered with dragonlike scales. They had horrible grins, staring eyes, and writhing snakes for hair. Their gaze was so terrifying that anyone who looked upon them immediately turned to stone. Two of the Gorgons, Stheno and Euryale, were immortal, but Medusa was not. In one of the more famous Greek myths, the hero Perseus* kills and beheads her with help from Athena*. The goddess later placed an image of Medusa's head on her armor. The Gorgons had three sisters known as the Graeae ("the gray ones"). These old women—Enyo, Pemphredo, and Deino—shared one eye and one tooth, and they took turns using them. The Graeae guarded the route that led to their sisters, the Gorgons. Perseus, however, stole their eye and tooth, forcing them to help in his quest to find and kill Medusa. See also Greek Mythology; Medusa; Perseus. immortal able to live forever * See Names and Places at the end of this volume for further information. |
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"Gorgons." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Gorgons." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900219.html "Gorgons." Myths and Legends of the World. 2001. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1G2-3490900219.html |
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Gorgon
Gorgon in Greek mythology, each of three sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, with snakes for hair, who had the power to turn anyone who looked at them to stone. Medusa was killed by Perseus, and the winged horse Pegasus is said to have sprung from her blood.
In extended usage, gorgon is used for a fierce, frightening, or repulsive woman. |
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Cite this article
ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Gorgon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Gorgon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Gorgon.html ELIZABETH KNOWLES. "Gorgon." The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable. 2006. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O214-Gorgon.html |
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Gorgon
Gorgon , in Greek mythology, one of three monstrous sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa; daughters of Ceto and Phorcus. Their hair was a cluster of writhing snakes, and their faces were so hideous that all who saw them were turned to stone. Only Medusa was mortal. They were much represented in Greek art. |
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Cite this article
"Gorgon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Gorgon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Gorgon.html "Gorgon." The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed.. 2008. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1E1-Gorgon.html |
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Gorgon
Gor·gon / ˈgôrgən/ (also gor·gon) • n. Greek Mythol. each of three sisters, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, with snakes for hair, who had the power to turn anyone who looked at them to stone. ∎ a fierce, frightening, or repulsive woman. |
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Cite this article
"Gorgon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Gorgon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gorgon.html "Gorgon." The Oxford Pocket Dictionary of Current English. 2009. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O999-gorgon.html |
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Gorgons
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"Gorgons." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "Gorgons." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Gorgons.html "Gorgons." World Encyclopedia. 2005. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O142-Gorgons.html |
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gorgon
gorgon terrible- or repulsive-looking person. XVI. Generalized use of the proper name Gorgon — L. Gorgō, -ōn- — Gr. Gorgṓ, f. gorgós terrible.
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T. F. HOAD. "gorgon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. T. F. HOAD. "gorgon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gorgon.html T. F. HOAD. "gorgon." The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology. 1996. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O27-gorgon.html |
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gorgon
gorgon
•deafen
•griffon, stiffen
•antiphon
•hyphen, siphon
•often, soften
•orphan • ibuprofen
•roughen, toughen
•colophon
•dragon, flagon, lagan, pendragon, wagon
•snapdragon • bandwagon • jargon
•Megan
•Copenhagen, pagan, Reagan
•Nijmegen
•Antiguan, Egan, Keegan, Regan, vegan
•Wigan • cardigan • Milligan • polygon
•hooligan • mulligan • ptarmigan
•Branigan • Oregon • Michigan
•Rattigan
•tigon, trigon
•toboggan
•Glamorgan, gorgon, Morgan, morgen, organ
•Brogan, hogan, Logan, slogan
•Cadogan • decagon
•Aragon, paragon, tarragon
•hexagon • pentagon • heptagon
•octagon • Bergen • Spitsbergen
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"gorgon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. 10 Feb. 2012 <http://www.encyclopedia.com>. "gorgon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Encyclopedia.com. (February 10, 2012). http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-gorgon.html "gorgon." Oxford Dictionary of Rhymes. 2007. Retrieved February 10, 2012 from Encyclopedia.com: http://www.encyclopedia.com/doc/1O233-gorgon.html |
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