Gorgo, onis, or -gūs (also Gorgo-na, ae, Prud. στεφ. 10, 278), f., = Γοργώ, a daughter of Phorcus, called Medusa, whose hair consisted of snakes, and who turned all she looked upon to stone; she was killed by Perseus. Her head was fixed on the shield of Pallas, and from her blood sprang the winged horse Pegasus, Ov. M. 4, 699; 5, 180; 202; Verg. A. 2, 616; 8, 438; Val. Fl. 3, 54; Mart. 9, 26, 5; Cic. Verr. 2, 4, 56, § 124.

—In apposition: ora Medusae Gorgonis anguineis cincta fuisse comis, Ov. Tr. 4, 7, 12.

— Plur., the Gorgons, the three daughters of Phorcus, Stheno, Euryale, and Medusa, all of whom are described as above, Verg. A. 6, 289; Plin. 6, 31, 36, § 200; Mart. 10, 4, 9.

— Derivv. Gorgoneus, a, um, adj., of or belonging to Gorgon, Gorgonian: crines, Ov. M. 4, 801; 5, 196: domus, the dwelling of Gorgon, id. ib. 4, 779: ignis, id. A. A. 3, 504: venena, i. e. snaky hair like that of Gorgon, Verg. A. 7, 341: equus, i. e. Pegasus, Ov. F. 3, 450; Stat. Th. 4, 61: caballus, the same, Juv. 3, 118.

—Hence also: lacus, the fountain Hippocrene, on Mount Helicon, which burst forth where Pegasus struck the ground with his hoof, Prop. 3, 3 (4, 2), 32.

— Gorgonia, ae, f., coral (which hardens in the air), Plin. 37, 10, 59, § 164.