medusaladj.
/mᵻˈdjuːz(ə)l/, /mᵻˈdjuːs(ə)l/, /mᵻˈdʒuːz(ə)l/, /mᵻˈdʒuːs(ə)l/, U.S. /məˈd(j)uz(ə)l/, /məˈd(j)us(ə)l/ 1. Zoology. Of, relating to, or resembling a medusa (Medusa n. 2); = medusan adj. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > animals > invertebrates > subkingdom Metazoa > grade Diploblastica > phylum Coelenterata > [adjective] > of or relating to the Medusae > relating to or resembling a Medusa
medusal1847
medusiform1848
medusoid1848
1847 A. Tulk tr. L. Oken Elements Physiophilos. 591 Fam. 9 Medusal Worms, Asteriadæ.
1859 Ann. & Mag. Nat. Hist. 4 144 The polypal and the medusal terms of this series.
1888 Nature 9 Aug. 356/2 Its endoderm has no direct communication with the medusal endoderm.
1968 J. Bouillon in M. Florkin & B. T. Scheer Chem. Zool. ii. i. 87 The scyphistomes develop into medusae without formation of a medusal nodule, but by simple transverse fission.
1990 Marine Biol. 104 303 The medusa reproduces intensively by asexual medusal budding (one young medusa liberated per two days).
2. Of, relating to, or resembling the Gorgon Medusa; = medusan adj. 1.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > fear > quality of inspiring fear > quality of being horrible > [adjective] > of aspect > of or relating to gorgon or Medusa
Gorgon1575
Gorgonical1591
Medusean1608
Gorgonian1616
medusal1939
1939 ‘M. Fitt’ Death at Dancing Stones xxi. 267 Her face darkened and became medusal with hatred.
1994 Interzone Sept. 53/1 Perfidia faced the silent detective, who returned her gaze with his own medusal look.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, June 2001; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1847