Gorgonian

“Of or resembling a Gorgon.”

The Gorgons were three sisters —  Stheno, Euryale and Medusa – with scale-covered bodies, hands of brass, razor-sharp fangs, snakes for hair, a beard and eyes that if looked into turned the beholder into stone. Medusa was turned to stone by Perseus when she saw her reflection in his shield. Blood taken from the right side of a Gorgon brought the dead back to life. Blood taken from the left side was an instantly fatal poison.

More common usage today as an adjective is an ugly or terrifying, fierce or unpleasant woman. 

(Editor’s Note: Perhaps not the best way to publicly describe a committee chair.)

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