b4 e9h vocab #3

Herculean task (n) - Max and Coleman

Definition: A herculean task is a job or challenge that requires a huge amount of strength, effort, or endurance  

Origin: named after Greek hero Hercules, who was famous for his great strength

nemesis (n) - Layla

Definition- A long-standing rival, an unbeatable opponent, or an inescapable agent of someone's downfall

Origin- Greek; meaning just indignation or righteous anger derived from the verb nemein which means to distribute or allot what is due

siren/siren’s song (n) - Lila and Sadie

Greek- Sirens were dangerous bird-women who used enchanting music to lure sailors to their deaths.

Definition - an irresistible, seductive appeal that lures people into danger or destruction

Pandora’s box (n) - Ella and Brielle

Definition- A process or action that starts a vast and catastrophic cascade of troubles.

nocturnal (adj) - Stella and Karsyn

Definition: relating to or occurring at night. 

Origin: Latin word nocturnalis meaning, “ of the night “

elysian (adj) - Hannah

Origin- Greek; the mythological concept of Elysion pedion or Elysion Fields  

Definition-  Heavenly, blissful, or related to a state of supreme peace and happiness

Trojan horse (n) - Aly and Gus

Origin- Greek: The Greeks built a giant horse to trick the trojans into thinking they got a present from the Greeks but they hid inside and raided the city.

Definition- Something that looks safe or helpful on the outside but hides a threat on the inside.

mnemonic (n/adj) - Parker

1. : assisting or intended to assist memory

2. :comes from the Ancient Greek word mnēmonikos

mentor (n) - Brody and Karson

Definition: A person who gives guidance and advice to a less experienced person.

Origin: Greek. Comes from Mentor, a character from The Odyssey. He was a trusted friend of King Odysseus, left in charge of guiding and protecting the king’s son during the Trojan War.  

Sisyphean task (n) - Tyler and Cael

Definition: an endless, frustrating job that can never be completed and offers no lasting result

Origin: Greek. Comes from The Myth of Sisyphus. He was a man punished by the gods to push a boulder up a mountain everyday. It would then roll back down and he would have to do it again.

than/then - Ava and Allie

Than - a conjunction or preposition used to introduce the second element in a comparison

ex. She is taller than her brother.

Then- an adverb to show a point in time, sequence of events, or a logical result

      ex. First we eat dinner, then we watch a movie.

lie/lay - Elia

lie - to put your body in a flat horizontal position to rest on a surface

lay - to put something down in a flat horizontal position

If you put it, lay it. If you rest, lie.

conscious/conscience - Nya

Conscious- being awake or aware of your surroundings. 

Conscience refers to your moral compass, or the voices inside your head telling you right from wrong. 

 

Conscience has the word science (knowledge), and conscious ends in ous like other descriptive words.