Odyssey Books 1-8

Question 1

hubris (n.), hubristic (adj.)

Answer 1

overbearing pride or presumption
- A boxer who shouts “Im the greatest” even though he will get destroyed by a greater opponent is hubristic.

Question 2

epithet (n.)

Answer 2

1) a descriptive word or phrase
2) a defamatory or abusive word or phrase
- Descriptive nickname like “Richard the Lionhearted” or “Tommy the Terrible”
- Can be harmless like “Sid the Kid” from Hockey.

Question 3

hospitality (n.), hospitable (adj.)

Answer 3

kindness in welcoming guests or strangers
- Hospitalitem is a Latin word meaning “friendliness to guests”
- Showing hospitality involves making others feel comfortable and welcome in your home.

Question 4

archetype (n.)

Answer 4

something that serves as a model
- An archetype is a perfect example or model of something.
- If you have long blonde hair, a sparkly ball gown, and a fairy godmother hovering over your head, you’re the archetype of a fairytale princess.

Question 5

in media res (adv.)

Answer 5

into or in the middle of the plot or sequence of events
- Beginning in medias res means you’re thrust right into the heart of the story — the most interesting and action-packed part

Question 6

misfortune (n.)

Answer 6

1) unnecessary and unforeseen trouble
2) a state resulting from unfavorable outcomes
- a broken umbrella, a broken heart, a broken toe.
- Misfortune means bad luck or the state of having bad luck.

Question 7

havoc (n.)

Answer 7

violent or needless disturbance
-means devastation or total mayhem.
- Havoc is often wreaked by hurricanes, angry mobs, plundering Vikings, and wild parties that get out of control.

Question 8

hinder (v.), hindrance (n.)

Answer 8

1) to be an obstacle to; to prevent the progress or accomplishments of
2) to put at a disadvantage
- if you’re in a high-speed car chase with the police, they might put up a blockade to hinder your progress.

Question 9

snare (v., n.), ensnare (v.)

Answer 9

1) catch in or as if in a trap (verb)
2) a trap for birds or small mammals (noun)
3) something that catches you unawares (noun)
- A snare is a trap, usually for small animals, and using a noose.
- A snare is also a type of small drum that rattles, as well as a wire loop used by surgeons.

Question 10

usurp (v.), usurper (n.)

Answer 10

1) to seize and take control without authority
2) to take the place of
- If you take over your neighbor’s backyard and claim his in-ground swimming pool as your own, you might seize control of, or usurp his yard, but he’ll probably call the cops on you.

Question 11

dejected (adj.), dejection (n.)

Answer 11

affected or marked by low spirits
- If you’re ejected from an important game, you’re going to feel dejected.

Question 12

deferential (adj.)

Answer 12

showing courteous regard for people’s feelings
- When a young person shows respect and obedience to an older person, they’re being deferential to the elder’s wisdom and experience.

Question 13

ghastly (adj.)

Answer 13

1) shockingly repellent; inspiring horror
2) gruesomely indicative of death or the dead
- shockingly, horrifyingly unpleasant

Question 14

insolent (adj.), insolence (n.)

Answer 14

1) marked by casual disrespect
2) not held back by conventional ideas of behavior
- Someone who’s insolent is either really doing her own thing, even if it goes against what everyone else is doing, or she’s mildly disrespectful.

Question 15

hecatomb (n.)

Answer 15

a great sacrifice offered to the gods in ancient Greece or Rome
- Traditionally, a hecatomb was an animal sacrifice of 100 oxen or cows. In practice, it was the slaughter and sacrifice of any large group of animals and could be as few as 12.
-The word is very rarely used today outside of the context of ancient Rome or Greece