medusae

Noun

medusa (plural medusas or medusae or (obsolete) medusæ)

1. A jellyfish; specifically, a non-polyp form of individual cnidarians, consisting of a gelatinous umbrella-shaped bell and trailing tentacles.
   • Typically, what we think of as the jellyfish, the medusa, reproduces sexually, spawning sperm and eggs which, once fertilised, turn into sea anemone-like polyps, which attach themselves to the jellyfish’s bottom or other surfaces.2014, Theo Tait, ‘Water-Borne Zombies’, London Review of Books, volume 36, number 5

   Synonyms:

   non-polyp form of cnidarian

2. Synonym of worm-star.

   Synonyms:

   worm-star

See all 3 meanings of medusa