hydra English · revision 1506

+ {{infobox|confidence=established|formation=borrowing|attested=c. 1374}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈhaɪdɹə/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is [[bor|la|hydra]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) from [[grc|ὕδρα|tr=húdra|t=water serpent]],^(AHD)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(RHWU) the feminine of [[m|grc|ὕδρος|tr=húdros|t=water snake]],^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[m|grc|ὕδωρ|tr=húdōr|t=water]],^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966) from [[ine-pro|*wed-|t=water, wet]].^(Etymonline)^(AHD) It is related to [[sa|उद्र|tr=udra|t=aquatic animal]] and English [[otter]].^(Etymonline)^(Klein 1966)^(Skeat 1911) Earlier Middle English forms such as [[m|enm|idre]] came through [[fro|ydre]].^(Barnhart 1995)^(Hoad 1986)^(MWU 2024)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ In Greek myth, the many-headed water snake of Lerna slain by Hercules, whose heads grew again as fast as they were cut off (c. 1374 in the OED; about 1380 in Barnhart; late 14th century in Etymonline).^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ Chaucer already alludes to the Hydra's many, indestructible heads.^(Weekley 1921) From 1494 the word was used figuratively of an evil or problem with many sides that cannot be ended by a single effort,^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) or in Johnson's words “any multiplicity of evils”.^(Etymonline) It also named a southern constellation (1559)^(OED 1989) and venomous sea snakes (1608).^(OED 1989) In zoology ''Hydra'' is the genus of small freshwater polyps,^(Barnhart 1995)^(MW Collegiate) so named in the 18th century because cutting one into pieces multiplies its number.^(Hoad 1986)^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * c. 1374 – the mythical monster.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1494 – a many-sided evil.^(OED 1989)^(Barnhart 1995)

+ * 1559 – the constellation.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1608 – a sea snake.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1835 – the freshwater polyp (Barnhart).^(Barnhart 1995)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # ''(Greek mythology)'' The many-headed serpent of Lerna, slain by [[Hercules]], each of whose heads grew back double when cut off; usually capitalized.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A persistent or many-sided problem or evil that cannot be overcome by a single effort.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Any of several small freshwater [[polyp|alt=polyps]] of the genus ''Hydra'', with a cylindrical body and a ring of [[tentacle|alt=tentacles]] around the mouth.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(RHWU)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''Hydra'': a long, faint southern [[constellation]] near Cancer and Virgo.^(AHD)^(MW Collegiate)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[hydranth]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[otter]]

+ * [[water]]

+ * [[hydrant]]

+ * [[hydro-]]

+ * [[hydrangea]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}