Scylla
/ˈsɪlə/ proper noun
- proper noun A dangerous rock on the Italian coast opposite the whirlpool Charybdis on the coast of Sicily. The passage between Scylla and Charybdis was formerly considered perilous; hence, the saying between Scylla and Charybdis signifies a great peril on either hand.
- proper noun (Greek mythology) A personification of said rock as a ravenous monster.
- proper noun (Greek mythology) A princess, daughter of King Nisos of Megara, who fell in love with King Minos and betrayed her city to him.
- proper noun (astronomy) The main belt asteroid 155 Scylla.
Etymology
From Latin Scylla, from Ancient Greek Σκύλλα (Skúlla).
Webster’s 1913
- noun A dangerous rock on the Italian coast opposite the whirpool Charybdis on the coast of Sicily, --both personified in classical literature as ravenous monsters. The passage between them was formerly considered perilous; hence, the saying "Between Scylla and Charybdis," signifying a great peril on either hand.
Sources: Wiktionary · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “Scylla”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details