many-headed
Definition
Adjective: Having many heads; often used to describe a monster or a mythological creature with multiple heads. In a figurative sense, it can refer to a group or crowd considered as a single entity with many leaders or voices.
Usage Examples
- (A creature with multiple heads.)
- (A large crowd acting as a single, chaotic body.)
Advanced Usage
- "Many-headed multitude": A literary phrase describing a large, diverse, and often unruly group of people.
- The poet warned of the many-headed multitude, unpredictable and easily swayed by demagogues. (A reference to the common people or masses.)
Variants and Related Words
- Multi-headed (adj): having more than one head; synonymous with "many-headed" but more commonly used in scientific or technical contexts.
- The multi-headed statue was a marvel of ancient engineering. (A statue with several heads.)
- Hydra (n): a mythical many-headed serpent; also used metaphorically to describe a complex problem.
- The corruption scandal was a hydra, with new heads appearing as old ones were cut off. (A problem that seems to grow when tackled.)
Synonyms
- Polycephalous: having many heads; a formal, scientific term.
- Multifarious: having many varied parts or forms (less specific to heads).
Related Idioms
- Many-headed beast: a metaphor for a large, disorganized, or dangerous group of people.
- The government feared the many-headed beast of public opinion. (The unpredictable and powerful masses.)
Note: This word is rare in everyday speech and appears mostly in literary, mythological, or political contexts.