Gordian
[ gawr-dee-uh n ]
/ ˈgɔr di ən /
adjective
pertaining to Gordius, ancient king of Phrygia, who tied a knot (the Gordian knot) that, according to prophecy, was to be undone only by the person who was to rule Asia, and that was cut, rather than untied, by Alexander the Great.
resembling the Gordian knot in intricacy.
Idioms for Gordian
cut the Gordian knot,
to act quickly and decisively in a difficult situation; solve a problem boldly.
Origin of Gordian
British Dictionary definitions for gordian knot
Gordian knot
/ (ˈɡɔːdɪən) /
noun
(in Greek legend) a complicated knot, tied by King Gordius of Phrygia, that Alexander the Great cut with a sword
a complicated and intricate problem (esp in the phrase cut the Gordian knot)
Cultural definitions for gordian knot
Gordian knot
A complex knot tied by a Greek king. According to legend, whoever loosed it would rule all Asia. Alexander the Great, according to some accounts, undid the Gordian knot by cutting through it with his sword.
notes for Gordian knot
By extension, to “cut the Gordian knot” is to solve quickly any very complex problem or to get to the heart of a problem.