ONLINE
ETYMOLOGY DICTIONARY:
- hydra (n.)
- 1835, genus name of a freshwater polyp, from Gk. Hydra, many-headed
Lernaean water serpent slain by Hercules (this sense is attested in
English from late 14c.), from hydor (gen. hydatos) "water"
(see water
(n.1)); related to Skt. udrah "aquatic animal" and O.E.
ottur "otter." Used figuratively for "any
multiplicity of evils" [Johnson]. The fabulous beast's heads
were said to grown back double when cut off, and the sea creature is
said to be so called for its regenerative capabilities.
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