Middle English Dictionary Entry
Gorgon n.
Entry Info
| Forms | Gorgon n. Also gargon. |
| Etymology | L Gorgo, Gorgona & ML gorgona, gargona a gargoyle & OF gorgon whirlpool. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
1.
(a) One of three mythical females, with snakes for hair, whose look turned the beholder into stone; a Gorgon; (b) ?a representation or a statue of a Gorgon; (c) a rain spout, gargoyle.
Associated quotations
a
- (a1398) *Trev.Barth.(Add 27944)181a/a : Þer ynne woneþ women þat were yclepede gorgones.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)59 : Kepe the wele fro the serpent Gorgon; Be ware that thou looke not hym [read: hyr] opon.
- c1450 Scrope Othea (Lngl 253)60 : Gorgon, as the fable seith, was a gentylvoman.
b
- (1443) Will York in Sur.Soc.3087 : Unum candelabrum pendens de laton cum quatuor gargons.
- c1450 Siege Jerus.(1) (Add 31042)466 : Gargons [Ld: On four goions of gold, þat hit fram grounde bar].
c
- [ (1440) PParv.(Hrl 221)186 : Gargulye, yn a walle: Gorgona, gurgulio. ]
- [ ?a1475 PParv.(Win)187 : Garguly in a walle: Gargona, Gargulio. ]
- (1461-2) Acc.R.Dur.in Sur.Soc.9990 : Et sol. pro 30 petr. plumbi pro le gargouys [read: gargonys] super coquinam et Scaccarium, 10 s.