Gorgonian
/ɡɔːrˈɡoʊ.ni.ən/noun
Relating to the Gorgons, or to a group of soft corals with branching forms.
Did you know?The name ultimately comes from Greek *Gorgō*, tied to the mythic Gorgons, so the word carries a direct echo of ancient monster-lore into modern science.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
Γοργώ (Gorgṓ)
“The name of a Gorgon, a monstrous figure with a terrifying gaze”
Classical Greek
Greek
γοργός (gorgós)
“Terrible, fierce, grim, or dreadful”
Latin
Latin
gorgonius
“Pertaining to the Gorgons”
Late Latin / Medieval Latin
Latin
gorgonianus
“Of or belonging to the Gorgons”
16th Century
English
gorgonian
“Pertaining to the Gorgons; later also used for certain sea organisms with branching forms”
Modern English
English
gorgonian
“Relating to the Gorgons or to gorgonian corals”
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