/gawr"dee euhn/ , adj.
1. pertaining to Gordius, ancient king of Phrygia, who tied a knot ( the Gordian knot) that, according to prophecy, was to be undone only by the person who was to rule Asia, and that was cut, rather than untied, by Alexander the Great.
2. resembling the Gordian knot in intricacy.
3. cut the Gordian knot , to act quickly and decisively in a difficult situation; solve a problem boldly.
[ 1555-65; Gordi ( us ) ( Górdios Gordius) + -AN ]