megaera
Definition
Proper noun 1. One of the three Furies in Greek mythology: Megaera is one of the three Erinyes (Furies), goddesses of vengeance and retribution. She is specifically associated with envy and jealousy, and her role is to punish crimes, especially those of a moral nature like oath-breaking and filial disrespect.
Usage Examples
- Proper noun:
- In the ancient myth, Megaera tormented the souls of the guilty in the Underworld.
- The playwright Aeschylus depicted Megaera as a relentless pursuer of Orestes.
- Her name, Megaera, is often invoked to symbolize relentless fury or spite.
Advanced Usage
- As a personification: The name Megaera is used metaphorically to describe a violently angry or vengeful woman.
- After the betrayal, she transformed into a veritable Megaera, seeking to ruin his reputation.
Variants and Related Words
- Erinyes (plural noun): The collective name for the three Furies (Alecto, Megaera, Tisiphone).
- Fury (noun): The Roman equivalent of the Erinyes; also used generally for a state of violent anger.
- Eumenides (plural noun): A euphemistic name ("the Kindly Ones") for the Furies, used after their transformation into benevolent deities in some myths.
Synonyms
- Avenger
- Tormentor
- Harpy (in its mythological sense as a vengeful creature)
Related Idioms and Phrases
- Like one of the Furies: Behaving with extreme violence or fury.
- She stormed into the meeting like one of the Furies.
Noun
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one of the three Furies
