atlas
n: book of maps, derived
Origin: from "atlas," a giant who supported the heavens on his shoulders. The figure of Atlas supporting the world was prefaced to early map collections; hence the name atlas.
auroral
adj: pertaining to or resembling the dawn; rosy
Origin: from Aurora, goddess of the dawn.
hector
v: Bully; intimidate w/ threats; bluster
Origin: from Hector, bravest of the Trojans. Ex. The crowd hectored the player as he struck out
draconian
adj: cruel; harsh; severe.
Origin: from Draco, an Athenian lawmaker who drew up a harsh code of laws. Ex. The dictator took Draconian measures against his enemies.
laconic
adj: using words sparingly; terse; concise
Origin: from Lakonikos, meaning "Spartan". The Spartans were known for their terseness.
lethargic
adj: unnaturally drowsy; sluggish; dull
Origin: from Lethe, river in Hades whose water, when drunk caused drowsiness and forgetfulness of the past.
iridescent
adj; having colors like the rainbow
Origin- Iris, goddess of the rainbow.
jovial
adj: jolly; merry; good-humored; cheerful
Origin: from Jove or Jupiter. The planet is said to make people born under its influence cheerful or jovial.
labyrinthine
adj: full of confusing passage ways; intricate
Origin: from Labyrinth, a fabled maze in Crete.
mentor
n: a wise and trusted advisor.
Origin: Mentor, to whom Odysseus entrusted the education of his son.
nemesis
n: due punishment for evil deeds; one who inflicts such punishment. Origin: Nemesis, goddess of vengeance.
martial
adj.: pertaining to war; warlike.
Origin: Mars, god of war.
mercurial
adj.: having the characteristics of eloquence, shrewdness, swiftness; quick; vivacious; quick and changeable in temperament; volatile.
Origin: Mercury, the messenger of the gods, who was also god of commerce, magic, and eloquence, as well as the patron of
odyssey
n: any long series of wanderings or travels.
Origin: Odyssey, the poem dealing with Odysseus' ten years of wandering on his way home from the Trojan War.
panic
n: unreasoning, sudden fright that grips a multitude.
Origin: Pan, a god believed to cause fear.
paean
n. song or hymn of praise, joy, or triumph.
Origin: A paean was a hymn in praise of Apollo, the god of deliverance.
palladium
n. safeguard or protection.
Origin: from Palladium, the statue of Athena, which was thought to protect the city of Troy.
philippic
n. bitter denunciation or criticism.
Origin: from the Philippics- orations by Demosthenes denouncing King Philip of Macedon.
plutocratic
adj. having great influence because of one's wealth.
Origin: from Plutus, god of wealth.
procrustean
adj. inflexible in enforcing conformity. Origin: from Procrustes, a bandit from Attica who made his victims fit the length of his iron bed, either stretching them if they were too short or cutting off their legs if they were too tall.
siren
n. dangerous, attractive woman.
Origin: from the Sirens, creatures half woman and half bird, whose sweet singing lured sailors to destruction on the rocks.
stentorian
adj. very loud
Origin: from Stentor, a legendary herald whose voice was as loud as fifty voices.
stygian
adj. infernal; dark, gloomy.
Origin: from Styx, a river of the lower world leading into Hades, or the Land of the Dead.
tantalize
v. to excite a hope but prevent its fulfillment; to tease.
Origin: from Tantalus, who was kept hungry and thirsty in the underworld with food and water very near but just beyond his reach.
thespian
adj. pertaining to the drama or acting.
Origin: from Thespis, who was considered the father of Greek drama.