Hydra Definition

hīdrə
hydrae, hydras
noun
The many-headed monster that was slain by Hercules.
American Heritage
Any of a family (Hydridae) of small, freshwater, solitary hydroids having a dominant soft-bodied polyp stage.
Webster's New World
Any persistent or ever-increasing evil with many sources and causes.
Webster's New World
A satellite of Pluto.
American Heritage
A long S constellation between Cancer and Libra: the largest constellation.
Webster's New World
Synonyms:
pronoun

(astronomy) A spring constellation of the northern sky, said to resemble a serpent. It lies just south of the zodiac and contains the star Alphard.

Wiktionary

(Greek mythology) A mythological serpent with seven heads, slain by Hercules as one of his twelve labours. Also called the Lernaean Hydra.

Wiktionary

(astronomy) The name of one of Pluto's moons. (Named 21 June 2006).

Wiktionary

Other Word Forms of Hydra

Noun

Singular:
hydra
Plural:
hydr-, hydrae, hydras

Origin of Hydra

  • After the Hydra, from Greek mythology, which grew two new heads every time one of its heads was cut off. The first sense alludes to the budding method of asexual reproduction that the hydra practices, similar to growing new heads. The second sense refers to how the creature could not be killed by a swift, decisive solution (in contrast to a Gordian knot).

    From Wiktionary

  • Middle English Idra from Latin Hydra from Greek Hudrā Hydra, a water serpent wed-1 in Indo-European roots

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

  • From Latin Hydra, the mythical serpent, originally from Ancient Greek ὕδρα (hudra), from Proto-Indo-European *wódr̥ (“water”).

    From Wiktionary

  • New Latin Hydra genus name from Latin Hydra Hydra Hydra

    From American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition

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