Vocab Quiz 1

Herculean

tremendous in size, strength, difficulty, or effort

Where was the word “herculean” derived from?

Hero from Greek mythology who was known for being strong.

Antonyms of Herculean

frail, puny

bowdlerize

remove or change parts considered vulgar or immoral

Where was the word “bowdlerize” derived from?

The word bowdlerize was derived from a man named Thomas Bowlder who was known for changing/altering playts he found to be inappropriate.

pandemonium

utter confusion or wild uproar

Where was the word “pandemonium” derived from?

The word pandemonium was first used in the epic poem Paradise Lost by seventh-century poet John Milton. Paradise Lost described the Fall of Adam and Eve.

Antonyms of pandemonium

tranquility, placidness, serenity

pander

play up to another’s desires and weaknesses

Where does the word “pander” derive from?

“Pander” comes from the character Pandarus in the poem Troilus and Criseyde. Pandarus is known for manipulating the neice of Troilus into being interested in him.

quixotic

idealistic but not practical

Where does the word “quixotic” derive from.

It was first used in the novel Don Quixote by Cervantes. Don Quixote delusionally imagines himself to be a knight fighting random objects thinking they are threats such as monsters.

Antonyms of quixotic

mundane, pragmatic

cynical

doubting the goodness and sincerity of human motives

Contrasted words of cynical

gullible, naive, optimistic

stoical

indifferent to pain and pleasure

Where did the word “stoical” derive from?

Zeno, a philosopher who believed that one should cultivate wisdom by not being concerned with gaining or losing material, was know for meeting his students on a porch. The greek word for porch is “stoa” or “stoikos”

Antonyms of stoical

volatile

stigma

mark of disgrace

Where did the word “stigma” derive from?

the ancient Greek word for “tattoo” is stigma

Antonym of stigma

tribue

impede

hinder, obstruct, slow down the process of

expedite

speed up; hasten or help the accomplishment of

Where did the word “expedite” derive from?

The latin word impedio meant to “chain the feet”