(n.) A serpent or monster in the lake or marsh of Lerna, in the Peloponnesus, represented as having many heads, one of which, when cut off, was immediately succeeded by two others, unless the wound was cauterized. It was slain by Hercules. Hence, a terrible monster.
HYDRA
Meaning of HYDRA in English
Webster's English dictionary. Английский словарь Webster. 2012