Vocabulary #2 and Word Choice Notes

Vocabulary terms derived from classical mythological origins along with commonly confused word usage guidelines.

tantalize

Excite a hope but prevent its fulfillment, tease. Origin: Greek; Tantalus was a wicked king who attempted to serve his own son at a feast for the gods, punished by Zeus to forever go hungry and thirsty in Hades with food and water just beyond his reach.

narcissistic

In love with oneself; egocentric. Origin: Greek; Narcissus came to a pool to drink water, fell in love with his own image, which led to his death.

atlas

Book of maps. Origin: Greek; Atlas was a giant who supported the heavens on his shoulders as punishment from Zeus for siding with the Titans.

mercurial

Quick, vivacious, active, lively, unstable, subject to change. Origin: Roman; Mercury (known in Greek as Hermes) was known to be cunning and clever.

iridescent

Having colors like the rainbow. Origin: Greek; Iris, Goddess of the rainbow, serves nectar to the gods.

Achilles’ heel

A weak, vulnerable spot. Origin: Greek; Achilles' only vulnerable spot on his body was his heel.

auroral

Pertaining to or resembling dawn, rosy, radiant. Origin: Roman; Aurora, goddess of the dawn.

chimerical

Fantastic, unreal, impossible, absurd. Origin: Greek; Chimera is a fire-breathing monster with a lion’s head, goat’s body, and serpent’s tail.

euthanasia

Act of causing death painlessly, so as to end suffering. Origin: Greek; Thanatos was the Greek personification of Death who appeared to humans to carry them off to the underworld when it was time.

zeal

Intense enthusiasm, devotion, fervor. Origin: Zelos(Zelus) was the god of great enthusiasm, dedication, envy, jealousy, and a winged enforcer for Zeus.

Affect

Verb meaning to influence or produce change ("A is for action").

Effect

Noun meaning the result or consequence of an action ("E is for end result", testable by substitution with "side effect").

It's

A contraction standing for "it is".

Its

A possessive pronoun like "his" or "her".

Between

Used when something is in the middle of two things.

Among

Used when something is in or with a group of 3 or more.