gorgonize
verb
gor·gon·ize ˈgȯr-gə-ˌnīz 
gorgonized; gorgonizing
transitive verb
: to have a paralyzing or mesmerizing effect on : stupefy, petrify
Did you know?
In Greek mythology, the Gorgons (from the Greek adjective gorgos, meaning "terrifying") were commonly depicted as three female monsters who had snakes for hair and the ability to turn anyone who looked at them into stone. The most notorious of the three was Medusa; when she was slain by the hero Perseus, her severed head retained the power of turning anyone who looked on it to stone. In modern parlance, to gorgonize someone is to make him or her feel (metaphorically) petrified, usually through an intimidating glance or gaze.
Word History
First Known Use
1609, in the meaning defined above
- into sight
- into the act
- into the background
- into the bargain
- into the breach
- into the ether
- into the ground
- into the open
- into the swim
- into the swim of things
- into the swing of
- into the tank
- into the woodwork
- into thin air
- intolerabilities
- intolerability
- intolerable
- intolerableness
- intolerablenesses
- intolerably
- intolerance
- intolerances
- intolerancy
- intolerant
- intolerantly