Definition of Gordian knot

Gordian knotnoun

Nút thắt Gordian

/ˌɡɔːdiən ˈnɒt//ˌɡɔːrdiən ˈnɑːt/

Word Originmid 16th cent.: from the legend that Gordius, king of Gordium in Persia, tied an intricate knot and prophesied that whoever untied it would become the ruler of Asia. It was cut through with a sword by the Greek leader Alexander the Great.

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