HYDRA

hydra

(noun) small tubular solitary freshwater hydrozoan polyp

hydra

(noun) trouble that cannot be overcome by a single effort because of its many aspects or its persistent and pervasive quality; “we may be facing a hydra that defies any easy solution”

Hydra, Snake

(noun) a long faint constellation in the southern hemisphere near the equator stretching between Virgo and Cancer

Hydra

(noun) (Greek mythology) monster with nine heads; when struck off each head was replaced by two new ones; “Hydra was slain by Hercules”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Proper noun

Hydra

(Greek mythology) A mythological serpent with many heads, slain by Hercules as one of his twelve labours.

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

(astronomy) One of Pluto's moons.

Synonyms

• (mythology): Lernaean Hydra; Xiangliu, Xiangyao (Chinese equivalent)

• (astronomy, moon of Pluto): Pluto II, S/2005 P 1, S/2005 P 1 (Hydra), (134340) Pluto II, (134340) Pluto II Hydra, Pluto II (Hydra)

Anagrams

• Hardy, hardy

Etymology

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).

Noun

hydra (plural hydras or hydrae or hydræ)

Any of several small freshwater polyps of the genus Hydra and related genera, having a naked cylindrical body and an oral opening surrounded by tentacles.

(fantasy) A dragon-like creature with many heads and the ability to regrow them when maimed.

A complex, multifarious problem or situation that cannot be solved easily and rapidly.

Anagrams

• Hardy, hardy

Source: Wiktionary

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Hy"dra, n.; pl. E. Hydras, L. Hydræ. Etym: [L. hydra, Gr. "y`dra; akin to "y`dwr water. See Otter the animal, Water.]

1. (Class. Myth.)

Definition: A serpent or monster in the lake or marsh of Lerna, in the Peloponnesus, represented as having many heads, one of which, when cut off, was immediately succeeded by two others, unless the wound was cauterized. It was slain by Hercules. Hence, a terrible monster. Gorgons, and Hydras, and Chimeras dire. Milton.

2. Hence: A multifarious evil, or an evil having many sources; not to be overcome by a single effort.

3. (Zoöl.)

Definition: Any small fresh-water hydroid of the genus Hydra, usually found attached to sticks, stones, etc., by a basal sucker.

Note: The body is a simple tube, having a mouth at one extremity, surrounded by a circle of tentacles with which it captures its prey. Young hydras bud out from the sides of the older ones, but soon become detached and are then like their parent. Hydras are remarkable for their power of repairing injuries; for if the body be divided in pieces, each piece will grow into a complete hydra, to which fact the name alludes. The zooids or hydranths of marine hydroids are sometimes called hydras.

4. (Astron.)

Definition: A southern constellation of great length lying southerly from Cancer, Leo, and Virgo.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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