1. (

• Medusa

) (Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus ;

2. (

• medusa ,
• medusoid ,
• medusan

) 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 ;