I.a daughter of Phorcus, called Medusa, whose hair consisted of snakes, and who turned all she looked upon to stone; she was killed by Perseus. Her head was fixed on the shield of Pallas, and from her blood sprang the winged horse Pegasus, Ov. M. 4, 699; 5, 180; 202; Verg. A. 2, 616; 8, 438; Val. Fl. 3, 54; Mart. 9, 26, 5; Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 56, § 124.—In apposition: “ora Medusae Gorgonis anguineis cincta fuisse comis,” Ov. Tr. 4, 7, 12.— Plur., the Gorgons, the three daughters of Phorcus, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, all of whom are described as above, Verg. A. 6, 289; Plin. 6, 31, 36, § 200; Mart. 10, 4, 9. —
II. Derivv.
A. Gorgŏnĕus , a, um, adj., of or belonging to Gorgon, Gorgonian: “crines,” Ov. M. 4, 801; 5, 196: “domus,” the dwelling of Gorgon, id. ib. 4, 779: “ignis,” id. A. A. 3, 504: “venena,” i. e. snaky hair like that of Gorgon, Verg. A. 7, 341: “equus,” i. e. Pegasus, Ov. F. 3, 450; Stat. Th. 4, 61: “caballus, the same,” Juv. 3, 118.—Hence also: “lacus,” the fountain Hippocrene, on Mount Helicon, which burst forth where Pegasus struck the ground with his hoof, Prop. 3, 3 (4, 2), 32.—
B. Gorgŏnĭa , ae, f., coral (which hardens in the air), Plin. 37, 10, 59, § 164.
