B3 - Vocabulary #2 -Vitolo -Daniel Halverson

tantalize

• Origin: Greek- Taken from the name Tantalus, a king of ancient Sipylus who offended the gods. Once the king died he was forced to stand in a pool where the water would recede when he tried to drink, and a fruit hanging above his head would lift when he tried to take a bite. 

• Definition: to tease or torment by or as if by presenting something desirable to the view but continually keeping it out of reach

narcissistic

• The term narcissistic derives from Narcissus, a beautiful hunter from Thespiae in Greek mythology who fell in love with his own reflection in a pool of water and wasted away, eventually being transformed into the narcissus flower

• Definition- extremely self-centered with an exaggerated sense of self-importance : marked by or characteristic of excessive admiration of or infatuation with oneself

atlas

• Definition: A collection of maps featuring geographical regions, countries, or the entire world.

• Origin: It originates from Atlas, a Titan in Greek mythology who was condemned by Zeus to hold up the celestial spheres or heavens for eternity.

mercurial

• Origin: Roman; It comes from the word mercurialis which means of or relating to Mercury (Roman god of commerce & travel) the roman counterpart of Hermes

• Definition: Subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind

iridescent

• Origin: Greek; from Iris, the goddess of the rainbow

• Definition: showing bright, rainbow-like colors that shift and change as the light hits them or as you move your viewing angle

Achilles’ heel

• Origin: Greek- comes from the hero Achilles, who was a warrior in Homer’s The Iliad, who was shot in the heel when shot by an arrow guided by Apollo

• Definition: A hidden weakness or a vulnerable spot that can cause a person, plan, or a system to fail, no matter how strong it/they are.

auroral

• Definition - Relating to the dawn or an atmospheric light display like the northern lights.

• Origin - Roman, coming from Latin as the name of the Roman Goddess of the dawn. The equivalent in Greek mythology being the Titan Goddess Eos.

chimerical

• Definition: something that is wildly fanciful and imaginary or impossible to achieve.

•   Origin: Greek;comes from the noun chimera, which originates from the Ancient Greek word khímaira, meaning "she-goat".

• lion's head, a goat's body, and a serpent's tail.

euthanasia

• Definition: The intentional act of painlessly ending a persons or animals life to relieve severe, incurable pain or suffering.

• Origin: Greek; From the word euthantos meaning “good death” or “mercy killing”. Thanatos was the Greek personification of Death, appeared to humans to carry them off to the underworld when it was time

Zeal

• Definition: Bringing great energy to a pursuit

• Origin: Greek - The word Zelos (was the god of great enthusiasm, dedication, envy, jealousy) which means ardor, eager rivalry, jealousy, or passion.

affect

• Affect is used when something will influence or change something 

  • if you can replace the word with alter or change then use affect

• Effect – A change, result, or outcome produced by a specific cause or action

  • If it’s caused by an event, it’s an effect

– A change, result, or outcome produced by a specific cause or action

• If it’s caused by an event, it’s an effect

It’s

• It’s - A contraction of “it is” or “it has.” 

  • IT’S = IT IS

    • If you can replace “it’s” with “it is” and the sentence still makes sense, use it’s.

Its

• Its - Shows that something belongs to or is connected to “it.” 

  • ITS = HIS/HER

    • If you could use his or her instead, use its.

Between

Between - a preposition or adverb that describes a position, time, or relationship separating two or more things, people, or points

Among

Among - a preposition used to indicate being in the middle of a group