Argus

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A mythological figure depicted as having many eyes all over its body ; a person or entity that watches carefully and attentively ; a type of bird belonging to a group known as pheasants
2. A creature from ancient stories famous for its numerous eyes that never fully close ; one who keeps vigilant watch over something ; a category of ground-dwelling birds with striking feather patterns
3. In mythology, a being with multiple eyes used to guard ; someone who acts as an alert overseer ; a genus of large, ornamental birds found in tropical forests

Etymology: In Greek myth, Argus was a giant with a hundred eyes, and Hera set him to watch over the cow Io, whom Zeus had transformed to hide her from Hera's jealousy. Hermes lulled the watchman to sleep with his pipes and killed him, and Hera then placed his eyes on the tail of her peacock. That grim story is the root of the word's modern sense: a person who keeps unblinking watch is called an argus. The name itself is Greek, "Argos," which may be connected to a word meaning "bright" or "shining," though the exact link is uncertain. English took it as a proper name for the mythological giant, and the common noun grew out of that character, so that "argus" came to describe any relentlessly watchful guardian.

Synonyms: watchful, vigilant

Antonyms: negligent, careless