Unit 1 Vocab Flashcards
Herculean (adj.)
Synonyms: Mighty, Powerful, Massive
Etymology: Hercules was the greatest hero in Greek mythology. He accomplished 12 superhuman tasks known as the “Labors of Hercules.”
Bowdlerize (v.)
Synonyms: Delete, Censor, Expurgate
Etymology: In 1818, Thomas Bowdler published censored versions of Shakespeare’s plays. He then went on the censor other works.
Pandemonium (n.)
Synonyms: Disorder, Chaos, Noisy Confusion
Etymology: John Milton, in Paradise Lost, named the capitol of Hell “Pandemonium.” Pan= all, Daimon=demon.
Pander (v.)
Synonyms: Indulge, Gratify, Cater
Etymology: From a story about the Trojan War in which a man named Pandarus arranges for his niece to be seduced by an influential prince. In Chaucer’s poem “Troilus and Creseyde,” Pandarus arranges for the couple to make love in his home.
Quixotic (adj.)
Synonyms: Romantic, Visionary, Fanciful, Chimerical
Etymology: Don Quixote, a novel by Cervantes, has its hero engaging in wildly impractical feats.
Cynical (adj.)
Synonyms: Distrustful, Sneering, Derisive
Etymology: From the name of an Ancient Greek school of philosophy called Cynosarges (white dog) which taught that most men scorn virtue for wealth and power. they were known for their skepticism of others’ motives.
Stoical (adj.)
Synonyms: Self- Controlled, Imperturbable, Unemotional
Etymology: The Greek philosopher Zeno met his students by the porch and taught them that one should calmly accept fortune or misfortune.
Stigma (n.)
Synonyms: Stain, Taint, Disgrace
Etymology: In Ancient Greece, captured runaway slaves were branded in the forehead with a stigma (tattoo) to make future escapes more difficult.
Impede (v.)
Synonyms: Block, Delay, Thwart
Etymology: Slaves and convicts in Ancient Rome were sometimes shackled with leg irons.
Expedite (v.)
Synonyms: Accelerate, Quicken, Facilitate
Etymology: In Ancient Rome, the captured slaves that were shackled with leg irons were released.
