Hydra

['haɪdrə]

Definition

(noun.) small tubular solitary freshwater hydrozoan polyp.

(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'.

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

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

Checker: Susie--From WordNet

Definition

(n.) 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.

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

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

(n.) A southern constellation of great length lying southerly from Cancer, Leo, and Virgo.

Inputed by Erma

Synonyms and Synonymous

n. [1]. (Myth.) Many-headed monster.[2]. Spectre, hobgoblin, ogre, Gorgon, bugbear, POKER, BUGABOO, frightful object, raw head and bloody bones.

Checker: Scott

Definition

n. (myth.) a water-serpent with many heads which when cut off were succeeded by others: any manifold evil: a genus of fresh-water polyps remarkable for their power of multiplication by being cut or divided.—adjs. Hy′dra-head′ed difficulty to root out springing up vigorously again and again; Hy′droid like the hydra.

Editor: Nita