E9H Vocab B4 Max Schaefer #2

tantalize (v)

Origin - Greek; Comes from King Tantalus of Greek Mythology who the gods punished in the Underworld by placing him in a pool of water beneath a fruit tree. The water receded when he tried to drink it, and the branches rose when he tried to eat it. 

Definition - to torment or tease someone with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable

narcissistic (adj)

Origin- Greek; Comes from the Greek myth of Narcissus , who was a handsome young man who fell deeply in love with his own reflection in a pool of water. 

Definition- having an exaggerated sense of self importance, an excessive need for admiration, and a fundamental lack of empathy for other people.

atlas (n)

Origin- Greek; Comes from the titan, Atlas, who was forced to hold up the sky for eternity. The ancient Greek name Atlas means “bearer” or “endurer”.

Definition- A book that holds a collection of maps

mercurial (adj)

Origin - Roman; The word mercurial comes from the Roman messenger god Mercury (Hermes), who was known for his speed, cleverness, and unpredictability.

Definition - changing quickly and unpredictably in mood, or being very lively, clever, and quick-witted

iridescent (adj)

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

Origin: Comes from the ancient Greek word Iris which means rainbow. Iris was the personification of the rainbow and was the messenger of Hera.

Achilles’ heel (n)

Origin: greek, comes from the god hero Achilles, who was a warrior in the Homer’s The Iliad, and was shot in the heel in battle, the heel was the only spot that was vulnerable to being killed 

definition: A hidden weakness or vulnerable spot that can cause a person, plan, or system to fail, despite overall strength

auroral (adj)

•  Definition:  relating to, or resembling the dawn or the aurora of borealis   

• Origin: the word auroral comes from the latin word Aurora, which is the name of the ancient Roman goddess of dawn

chimerical (adj)

Origin - Greek: comes from the myth Chimera who was a fire breathing creature with a lion head, goat body, and serpent tail.

Definition - something existing only as a wildly imaginative, fantastic, or unrealistic creation or a hope that is completely impossible to achieve

euthanasia (n)

Origin- Greek; meaning “good” or “well” and thanatos, meaning "death," translating to a “good or easy death”; Thanatos was the Greek personification of Death, appeared to humans to carry them off to the underworld when it was time 

- Definition- the intentional act of painlessly ending a person's or animal's life to relieve severe, incurable pain or suffering

zeal (n)

Origin - Greek; comes from Zelos, the god of enthusiasm, intense desire, and passion

Definition - Jealousy or Eager Rivalry; intense enthusiasm, devotion, fervor

affect/effect

Affect- to influence,change, or produce an effect on someone or something. 

Effect- A result or change that happens because of a cause.

Remember Affect is for Action, Effect is for End result.

it’s/its

its- used to show that something directly belongs to an animal or object 

it’s-used strictly as a shortcut for “it is” or “it has.”

between/among

between- at, into, or across the space separating

among- surrounded by; in the company of

The "T" in Between: Think of the letter T in between as standing for Two.

The "M" in Among: Think of the letter M in among as standing for Many or a Mass of items.