Definitions of medusa:

  • noun:   one of two forms that coelenterates take: is the free-swimming sexual stage in the life cycle of a coelenterate and has a gelatinous umbrella-shaped body and tentacles
  • noun:   (Greek mythology) a woman transformed into a Gorgon by Athena; she was slain by Perseus
  • noun:   any of numerous usually marine and free-swimming coelenterates that constitute the sexually reproductive forms of hydrozoans and scyphozoans