源自希腊神话的英语词汇
常见英语词汇背后的希腊神话故事
常见英语词汇背后的希腊神话故事1.The Heel of Achilles 亦作The Achilles' Heel唯一弱点;薄弱环节;要害The Heel of Achilles直译是“阿基里斯的脚踵”,是个在欧洲广泛流行的国际性成语。
它源自荷马史诗Iliad中的希腊神话故事。
阿基里斯是希腊联军里最英勇善战的骁将,也是荷马史诗Iliad里的主要人物之一。
传说他是希腊密耳弥多涅斯人的国王珀琉斯和海神的女儿西蒂斯所生的儿子。
阿基里斯瓜瓜坠地以后,母亲想使儿子健壮永生,把他放在火里锻炼,又捏着他的脚踵倒浸在冥河(Styx)圣水里浸泡。
因此阿基里斯浑身象钢筋铁骨,刀枪不入,只有脚踵部位被母亲的手捏住,没有沾到冥河圣水,成为他的唯一要害。
在特洛伊战争中,阿基里斯骁勇无敌,所向披靡,杀死了特洛伊主将,著名英雄赫克托耳(Hector),而特洛伊的任何武器都无法伤害他的身躯。
后来,太阳神阿波罗(Apollo)把阿基里斯的弱点告诉了特洛伊王子帕里斯,阿基里斯终于被帕里斯诱到城门口,用暗箭射中他的脚踵,负伤而死。
因此,the heel of Achilles,也称the Achilles' heel,常用以表示a weak point in something that is otherwise without fault;the weakest spot等意思。
2.Helen of Troy 直译"特洛伊的海伦",源自源自荷马史诗Iliad中的希腊神话故事。
Helen是希腊的绝世佳人,美艳无比,嫁给希腊南部邦城斯巴达国王墨涅俄斯(Menelaus)为妻。
后来,特洛伊王子帕里斯奉命出事希腊,在斯巴达国王那里做客,他在爱与美之神阿芙罗狄蒂的帮助下,趁着墨涅俄斯外出之际,诱走海伦,还带走了很多财宝。
此事激起了希腊各部族的公愤,墨涅俄斯发誓说,宁死也要夺回海轮,报仇雪恨。
为此,在希腊各城邦英雄的赞助下,调集十万大军和1180条战船,组成了希腊联军,公推墨涅俄斯的哥哥阿枷门农(Agamemnon)为联军统帅,浩浩荡荡,跨海东征,攻打特洛伊城,企图用武力夺回海轮。
源于希腊神话的英语词汇英文释义
References for part of Vocabulary Exercises181. altantean: exceedingly strong2. gorgonize: change sb. into a gorgon/ stone, paralyze, stupefy sb.3. mount one’s Pegasus: (humor) write a poem4. a chimera in sb’s brain:a product of sb’s i magination201. the choice of Heracles: the choice between a short but glorious life and a long yetboring life2. hydra-headed: hard to overcome or resist because of its pervasive or enduring quality or its many aspects3. cleanse the Augean Stable: accomplish a task or problem requiring so much effortto complete or solve as to seem impossible4. the Shirt of Nessus/Tunic of Nessus /Nessus-robe/Nessus’ shirt: sth that brings destruction to sb.5. Pillars of Heracles: an ancient name for two promontories on either side of the strait of Gibraltar, held by legend to have been parted by the arm of Heracles6. Herculean effort: great effort211. sow dragon’s teeth: bring about disputes2. a Cadmean victory: a victory won after a heavy loss of lives221. oedipal: having an Oedipal complex2. sphinx riddle: a puzzling or mysterious person/thing231.Procrustean bed: a regulation/rule exhibiting merciless disregard for individual differences or special circumstances2. labyrinth: a maze3. Daedalian: skillful4. icarian: reckless, daredevil5. clue: variant of clew something that serves to guide or direct in the solution of a problem or mystery6. Ariadne’s thread (logic): the solving of a problem with multiple apparent means of proceeding through an exhaustive application of logic to all available routes7. the Ship of Theseus (a philosophical proposition): whether an object which has all its component parts replaced remains fundamentally the same 241. the apple of discord: sth. that causes disagreement among people2. Achilles’ heel: a weakness/ vulnerable point3. hector v: intimidate or dominate in a blustering way5. Achilles and Patroclus: sworn brothers, bosom friends6. fight like a Trojan: fight/ work extremely hard7. sulky like Achilles in his tent: very morose, bad-tempered, and resentful; refusingto co-operate or be cheerful8. a Trojan horse: the hidden danger; a covert wrecker9. myrmidon: a faithful follower who carries out orders without question251. the Electra complex: in psychoanalysis, a daughter's unconscious libidinal desire for her father.2. the Orestes complex: in psychoanalysis, a son's hatred of his mother.261. lotus-eater: sb. who lives in luxury and comfort free of care and worries2. mentor: a wise and trusted counselor or teacher3. cyclopean: of or constituting a primitive style of masonry characterized by the use of massive stones of irregular shape and size; huge, gigantic4. tantalizing: exciting (another) by exposing something desirable while keeping it out of reach5. siren song: sth beautiful but potentially dangerous6. between Scylla and Charybdis: in a position where avoidance of one danger exposes one to another danger271. harpy: a predatory person and shrewish woman2. Palinurus: an ill-fated person3. hypnotic: inducing or tending to induce sleep; soporific4. dido: a mischievous prank or antic; a caper5. ibyllic/sibylline: prophetic; oracular。
希腊罗马神话中的英语词汇
1、Flora:古希腊罗马神话中的花神。
她嫁给了西风之神Zephyr,丈夫送给她一座满是奇花异草的园子。
春天时,Flora和丈夫Zephyr手挽手在园子里漫步,他们一路走过的地方百花齐放。
Flora在现代英语里指代“植物”。
衍生词:flower,flour, flourish, floral, florist。
2、Muses(缪斯):希腊神话中掌管艺术的诸神。
共九位,分别是历史、抒情诗、喜剧(牧歌、田园诗)、悲剧、歌舞、爱情诗、颂歌、天文、史诗。
Muses 的艺术衍生出单词music,Muses收藏艺术品的地方就是museum。
艺术带来的快乐便是amuse,amusement。
3、 Pan(潘):牧神和森林之神,受打扰时会大声吼叫。
衍生词panic(惊慌,恐慌)。
4、Titan(泰坦):曾统治世界的巨人族的一员。
Titan在现代英语里指代高大强壮的人,重要人物。
衍生词titanic意指巨大的,极大的。
“泰坦尼克号”即以此命名。
5、Zephyrus(泽费罗斯):西风之神。
衍生词zephyr(西风,和风,微风)。
(张晨הָגוּפ 2010-04-09 03:13补充一个 Zephyr 衍生词风雨兰(/wiki/Zephyranthes)拉丁化形式Zephyranthes)6、 Atlas:希腊神话中Titans(泰坦)巨神之一,因背叛Zeus(宙斯)被罚在世界的西边尽头以双肩扛天。
16世纪地理学家麦卡脱把Atlas擎天图作为一本地图册的卷首插图。
后人争相效仿, atlas从此有了地图、地图集、身负重担的人的含义。
其他衍生词:Atlantic。
7、Ceres:庄稼保护神。
古罗马遭受大旱,教士们求助女巫占卜,占卜的结果是要立一位新的女神Ceres,向她供奉,这样她就会给大地带来雨水。
此后,Ceres就变成了庄稼的保护神。
cereal从拉丁语变化而来,意即“of Ceres”属于谷物女神的。
衍生词:cereals(谷类,早餐麦片)。
源于希腊罗马神话中众神名字的英语词汇
源于希腊罗马神话中众神名字的英语词汇现代英语中,不少词汇来源于希腊罗马神话中众神的名字,至今仍起着重要的作用。
典型的词源试举如:1、Flora:古希腊罗马神话中的花神。
她嫁给了西风之神Zephyr,丈夫送给她一座满是奇花异草的园子。
春天时,Flora和丈夫Zephyr手挽手在园子里漫步,他们一路走过的地方百花齐放。
Flora在现代英语里指代“植物”。
衍生词:flower,flour,flourish,floral,florist。
2、Muses(缪斯):希腊神话中掌管艺术的诸神。
共九位,分别是历史、抒情诗、喜剧(牧歌、田园诗)、悲剧、歌舞、爱情诗、颂歌、天文、史诗。
Muses的艺术衍生出单词music,Muses收藏艺术品的地方就是museum。
艺术带来的快乐便是a-muse,amusement。
3、Pan(潘):牧神和森林之神,受打扰时会大声吼叫。
衍生词panic(惊慌,恐慌)。
4、Titan(泰坦):曾统治世界的巨人族的一员。
Titan在现代英语里指代高大强壮的人,重要人物。
衍生词titanic意指巨大的,极大的。
“泰坦尼克号”即以此命名。
5、Zephyrus(泽费罗斯):西风之神。
衍生词zephyr(西风,和风,微风)。
6、Atlas:希腊神话中Titans(泰坦)巨神之一,因背叛Zeus(宙斯)被罚在世界的西边尽头以双肩扛天。
16世纪地理学家麦卡脱把Atlas擎天图作为一本地图册的卷首插图。
后人争相效仿,atlas从此有了地图、地图集、身负重担的人的含义。
其他衍生词:Atlantic。
7、Ceres:庄稼保护神。
古罗马遭受大旱,教士们求助女巫占卜,占卜的结果是要立一位新的女神Ceres,向她供奉,这样她就会给大地带来雨水。
此后,Ceres就变成了庄稼的保护神。
cereal从拉丁语变化而来,意即“of Ceres”属于谷物女神的。
衍生词:cereals(谷类,早餐麦片)。
8、Cronos:宙斯的父亲。
希腊神话衍生出的英文词汇
希腊神话衍生出的英文词汇
希腊神话是人类历史上最早的神话之一,因此有许多英文词汇和短语源自于希腊神话。
以下是一些常见的希腊神话衍生的英文词汇:
1. Zeus - 宙斯(天神)、宙斯电
2. Hera - 赫拉(婚姻与家庭女神)
3. Ares - 阿瑞斯(战神)
4. Athena - 雅典娜(智慧女神)
5. Poseidon - 波塞冬(海神)
6. Hades - 冥王哈得斯(冥王)
7. Apollo - 阿波罗(太阳神、音乐与艺术神)
8. Artemis - 阿尔忒弥斯(狩猎和月亮女神)
9. Hermes - 赫尔墨斯(信使神)
10. Aphrodite - 阿佛洛狄忒(爱与美的女神)
11. Dionysus - 狄俄尼索斯(酒神)
12. Hestia - 赫斯提亚(家居和火神)
13. Prometheus - 普罗米修斯(普罗米修斯计划)
14. Pandora - 潘多拉(潘多拉盒子)
此外,还有一些词汇是从希腊神话角色的名字或故事中衍生而来的,比如:
1. Herculean - 赫拉克勒斯的(艰巨的、英勇的)
2. Odyssey - 《奥德赛》(冒险)
3. Nemesis - 复仇女神网(报应、仇敌)
4. Titan - 泰坦神族(巨人)
这只是希腊神话衍生英文词汇的一小部分示例,希腊神话对英语和其他西方语言产生了广泛且持久的影响。
源自希腊神话的英语词汇
Wordsderive d from Greekmythol ogyAchill es’ heel: a vulner ablepoint[fr. L, fr. Gk Achill eus Achill es, the greate st Greekwarrio r at Troy, slayer of Hector]Argus-eyed: vigila ntlyobserv ant [L, fr. Gk Argos, a hundre d-eyed monste r of Greekmythol ogy] Atlas: A book contai ningmaps of variou s locati ons. Atlaswas a titancondem ned to hold up the sky on his should ers.Augean stable: a condit ion or placemarked by greataccumu latio n of filthor corrup tion[L Augeas, king of Elis, fr. Gk Augeia s; fr. the legend that his stable, left neglec ted for 30 years, wasfinall y cleane d by Hercul es]Cereal: Any grain,such as wheat,oats, barley, etc. NamedafterCeres,goddes s of farmin g and agricu lture.Chroni cle: A list of events in the orderthey happen ed. Namedfor Cronus (Saturn), father of Jupite r and leader of the titans.Cloth: any type of natura l fabric. Clotho, one of the Fates, gave her name to this materi al.Delphi c uttera nce: a commen t or respon se to a questi on that is ambigu ous and theref ore diffic ult to unders tand[fr. Delphi, the site of the oracle of Apollo]Echo: The reflec tionof a soundwave. Echo was a wood nymphwhosevoicewas takenfrom her by Juno, and she was therea fteronly capabl e of repeat ing others.Hercul ean: a seemin gly imposs ibletask, such as the twelve labors Hercul es had to perfor m to win his freedo mJovial: good-humore d. When he wasn?t tossin g around lightn ing bolts, Jupite r (also knownas Jove) wouldprobab ly be in this mood.Labyri nth: either a maze with many twists and passag es or a tortuo us proced ure. Comesfrom the name of the maze Daedal us builtfor King Minosof Crete.Martia l: relati ng to or sugges tiveof war. Namedfor Mars, god of war.Midastouch: an uncann y abilit y for making moneyin everyventur e [L, fr. Gk legend of the Phrygi an king Midaswho is giventhe powerto turn everyt hinghe touche d into gold]Music:harmon iousand rhythm ic arraig nment s of sound. Namedafterthe Muses,goddes ses of the arts and scienc es.Narcis sisti c: excess ive self-admira tion. Narcis sus was a man who fell in love with his reflec tion. Olympi an feat: a loftytask, as one befitt ing the immort als [fr. Gk Olympo s, the mounta in in Greekmythol ogy that is the home of the gods]Orator: one who speaks in public. Derive s from oracle, places wherethe gods and mortal s wouldgo for help.Pandor a’s box: a prolif ic source of troubl es [fr. the myth surrou nding the box sent by the gods to Pandor a]Panic: a sudden, intens e, contag iousfear. The god Pan was knownfor causin g such fear in people. Plutoc rat: govern mentof rich people. Plutolivedin the underw orld, surrou ndedby minera l wealth. procru stean bed: a scheme or patter n into whichsomeon e or someth ing is arbitr arily forced [L, fr.Gk Prokro ustes Procru stes, a villai nousson of Poseid on in Greekmythol ogy who forcestravel ers to fit into his bed by stretc hingtheirbodies or cuttin g off theirlegs]Psyche: The soul or mind, namedfor Psyche, the wife of Cupid.Python: a massiv e snakethat killsits prey by constr ictio n. NamedafterPython, a monste r that livedin a cave near Delphi and was killed by Apollo.sirensong: an alluri ng uttera nce or appeal, especi allyone that is seduct ive or decept ive [ME sereyn, fr. OF serein e, fr. L Siren, fr. Gk Serein Siren, one of severa l mythol ogica l Greeksea nymphs, part womanand part bird, suppos ed to lure sailor s to theirdestru ction by theirseduct ivesingin g]Struck by Cupid’s arrow: smitte n, in love [L Cupido, the Romangod of erotic love]Titani c: of massiv e size, like the titans, the gigant ic sons of Uranus and Gaia.。
源于希腊神话的英语词汇一览
一源于希腊神仙名讳的英语单词1、Flora:古希腊罗马神话中的花神。
她嫁给了西风之神Zephyr,丈夫送给她一座满是奇花异草的园子。
春天时,Flora和丈夫Zephyr手挽手在园子里漫步,他们一路走过的地方百花齐放。
Flora在现代英语里指代“植物”。
衍生词:flower,flour, flourish, floral,florist。
2、Muses(缪斯):希腊神话中掌管艺术的诸神。
共九位,分别是历史、抒情诗、喜剧(牧歌、田园诗)、悲剧、歌舞、爱情诗、颂歌、天文、史诗。
Muses的艺术衍生出单词music,Muses 收藏艺术品的地方就是museum。
艺术带来的快乐便是amuse,amusement。
3、Pan(潘):牧神和森林之神,受打扰时会大声吼叫。
衍生词panic(惊慌,恐慌)。
4、Titan(泰坦):曾统治世界的巨人族的一员。
Titan在现代英语里指代高大强壮的人,重要人物。
衍生词titanic意指巨大的,极大的。
“泰坦尼克号”即以此命名。
5、Zephyrus(泽费罗斯):西风之神。
衍生词zephyr(西风,和风,微风)。
6、 Atlas:希腊神话中Titans(泰坦)巨神之一,因背叛Zeus(宙斯)被罚在世界的西边尽头以双肩扛天。
16世纪地理学家麦卡脱把Atlas擎天图作为一本地图册的卷首插图。
后人争相效仿, atlas从此有了地图、地图集、身负重担的人的含义。
其他衍生词:Atlantic。
7、Ceres:庄稼保护神。
古罗马遭受大旱,教士们求助女巫占卜,占卜的结果是要立一位新的女神Ceres,向她供奉,这样她就会给大地带来雨水。
此后,Ceres就变成了庄稼的保护神。
cereal从拉丁语变化而来,意即“of Ceres”属于谷物女神的。
衍生词:cereals(谷类,早餐麦片)。
8、Cronos:宙斯的父亲。
害怕子女反抗自己,曾吞食自己的后代。
就像无情的时间,吞噬一切。
因此字根“chron”意指“time”。
希腊神话 词汇
1.Out on the street(slang)在外讨饭It’s simply another colloquial(口语的,白花的) description of the unemployed. The unemployed are sometimes described as tramps –does this ring a bell? Tramps(流浪汉)are “out on the street” a lot, moving from place to place looking for a job or, worse, begging for food. Bill has lost his job. He’s unemployed. He’s jobless. He’s out on the street. He’d be called a tramp if he stopped looking for jobs and began begging for food.2.fly-by-night adj.不可信任的,不可靠的n.不可靠的人“Fly-by-night” is a phrase for a businessman who is dishonest, unreliable, or for describing shady businesses in general.Eg. I want a reputable tour operator,not one of these fly - by - night outfit. 我想找一家信誉好的旅游公司,而不是那些靠不住的公司.3.pass the buck推卸责任If you pass the buck, you shirk your responsibility by letting others do the job.This phrase originates from the game of poker but was made famous by former US President Harry Truman(杜鲁门), who had “The Buck Stops Here” as a motto and put it on a sign on his desk.Eg. When I asked my secretary Miss Brown why she hadn't mailed out these very important letters to customers, she passed the buck to our office boy for not having enough stamps ready.4.loose ends未知结局,零碎资料,收场Grab a piece of worn-out clothes and you’ll see what a “loose end” is. By the edges of any piece of threadbare clothing, there are loose threads hanging – these are loose ends.Metaphorically speaking, loose ends are any minor unresolved problem that leaves a bigger project unfinished or leave the readers dangling in the a ir, wondering what you’re talking about.Eg. I don't like this solution. It leaves too many loose ends.5.keep up with the Jone’s (在社会地位和物质生活方面)与左邻右舍攀比,互相攀比,不落后于邻居;赶时髦This is an age-old and very commonplace (widely used) idiom. In Britain, it’s spelled Joneses, instead of Jones’s. The Joneses stand for one’sneighboring family. Therefore, to keep up with the Joneses means to keep up with your neighbor. That is, if your neighbor buys a washing machine, you want to buy one. If they buy a new car, you must have one. If their daughter has an I-Pod player, you must have one for your own daughter, etc, so on and so forth.Eg. Whether one admits to it or not, to a certain degree, we all try to "keep up with the Jones".不管承认与否,在某种角度上,我们都试图和人家攀比。
一源于希腊神仙的英语单词
一源于希腊神仙的英语单词1、Flora:古希腊罗马神话中的花神。
她嫁给了西风之神Zephyr,丈夫送给她一座满是奇花异草的园子。
春天时,Flora和丈夫Zephyr手挽手在园子里漫步,他们一路走过的地方百花齐放。
Flora在现代英语里指代“植物”。
衍生词:flower,flour,flourish,floral,florist。
2、Muses(缪斯):希腊神话中掌管艺术的诸神。
共九位,分别是历史、抒情诗、喜剧(牧歌、田园诗)、悲剧、歌舞、爱情诗、颂歌、天文、史诗。
Muses的艺术衍生出单词music,Muses收藏艺术品的地方就是museum。
艺术带来的快乐便是amuse,amusement。
3、Pan(潘):牧神和森林之神,受打扰时会大声吼叫。
衍生词panic(惊慌,恐慌)。
4、Titan(泰坦):曾统治世界的巨人族的一员。
Titan在现代英语里指代高大强壮的人,重要人物。
衍生词titanic意指巨大的,极大的。
“泰坦尼克号”即以此命名。
5、Zephyrus(泽费罗斯):西风之神。
衍生词zephyr(西风,和风,微风)。
6、Atlas:希腊神话中Titans(泰坦)巨神之一,因背叛Zeus(宙斯)被罚在世界的西边尽头以双肩扛天。
16世纪地理学家麦卡脱把Atlas擎天图作为一本地图册的卷首插图。
后人争相效仿,atlas从此有了地图、地图集、身负重担的人的含义。
其他衍生词:Atlantic。
7、Ceres:庄稼保护神。
古罗马遭受大旱,教士们求助女巫占卜,占卜的结果是要立一位新的女神Ceres,向她供奉,这样她就会给大地带来雨水。
此后,Ceres就变成了庄稼的保护神。
cereal从拉丁语变化而来,意即“of Ceres”属于谷物女神的。
衍生词:cereals(谷类,早餐麦片)。
8、Cronos:宙斯的父亲。
害怕子女反抗自己,曾吞食自己的后代。
就像无情的时间,吞噬一切。
因此字根“chron”意指“time”。
源自希腊神话的词汇
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• Getting an A on the chemistry almost cause Mike to rest on laurels.
• Shakespeare won laurels on dramatic world.
• Tom won the broad jump, but he had to look to his laurels.
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• 希腊阿耳戈英雄: 珀琉斯(Peleus)
• 爱琴海海神涅柔斯的女儿: 西蒂斯 (Thetis)
• 掌管争执的女神:厄里斯(Eris)
• 天后赫拉(Hera) , 智慧女神雅典娜 (Athena) ,爱与美之神阿芙罗狄蒂
(Aphrodite)
• 众神之父宙斯(Zeus)
• 特洛伊的王子帕里斯(Paris)
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• Castle in Spain(西班牙城堡,幻想, 梦想。相当于汉语中的空中楼阁) 中世
纪某一时期,西班牙是一个颇富浪漫色 彩的国家,这句成语是和Castle in air (空中城堡)相齐名的。
• Do in Rome as Romans Do(在罗马, 就按罗马人的方式办) 和我们的入乡随 俗的意思一样。
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Swan Song 最后杰作;绝笔
Swan Song 直译为“天鹅之歌”。在古希 腊神话中,天鹅是太阳之神阿波罗的神 鸟,由于阿波罗多才多艺,因此又奉为 诗歌与音乐之神。故,天鹅常用来比喻 文艺。现在用这个典故比喻某艺术家的 最后一部杰作。即:A last or farewell appearance; the last work before death.
源自古希腊神话故事 的词汇
希腊神话与英语词汇
英语单词中的希腊神话一、与希腊罗马神话中的神有关的词汇1. Flora:古希腊神话中的花神。
她嫁给了西风之神Zephyrus,丈夫送给她一座满是奇花异草的园子。
春天时,Flora和丈夫手挽手在园里漫步,一路走过的地方百花齐放。
Flora在现代英语里指代“植物”。
衍生词: flower, flour, flourish, floral, florist2. Muses(缪斯):希腊神话中掌管艺术的神, 共九位,分别是历史、抒情诗、喜剧、悲剧、歌舞、爱情诗、颂歌、天文、史诗。
衍生词: music, museum, amuse, amusement3. Pan(潘):牧神和森林之神,受打扰时会大声吼叫。
衍生词: panic4. Titan(泰坦):曾统治世界的巨人族的一员。
Titan在现代英语里指代高大强壮的人,重要人物。
衍生词: titanic(“泰坦尼克号”即以此命名)5. Zephyrus:西风之神, 是森林诸神中最温柔的神。
衍生词: zephyr (西风,和风,微风)6. Atlas:希腊神话中Titans(泰坦) 巨神之一,因背叛Zeus (宙斯)被罚在世界的西边尽头以双肩扛天。
16世纪地理学家麦卡脱把Atlas擎天图作为一本地图册的卷首插图。
后人争相效仿,atlas从此有了地图、地图集、身负重担的人的含义。
衍生词:the Atlantic7. Cer e s:庄稼神。
传说罗马遭受大旱,教士们求助女巫占卜,结果是要立一位新女神Ceres,向她供奉,这样就会给大地带来雨水。
此后,Ceres就成了庄稼保护神。
cereal从拉丁语变化而来,意即“of Ceres”, 属于庄稼女神的。
衍生词: cereals (麦片)8. Cronos:Zeus (宙斯)的父亲。
害怕子女反抗自己,曾吞食自己的后代。
就像无情的时间,吞噬一切。
因此字根“chron”意指“time”。
衍生词:chronic (长期的,慢性的), chronology(年代学,年表)9. Hygeia:健康女神,形象为一位年轻女子,身着白色长衣,头戴祭司冠,用饭碗喂着一条蛇。
希腊神话的词汇
atlas(地图集):阿特拉斯(Altas)是希腊神话中的大力神,因反对主神宙斯,被罚作苦役,用头和肩将天撑起。
1595年,比利时地理学家和制图家Gerardus Mercator第一次在他的地图集的卷首使用了Atlas作为地图集的书名,并绘有Atlas肩负地球的形象。
从此以后,atlas 作为“地图集”以及他肩负地球的形象就流传下来。
Daphne(月桂树):达芙妮(Daphne)在古希腊神话中是河神的女儿,淘气的小爱神厄洛斯(Eros,即罗马神话中的丘比特Cupid)用爱情的金剑射中太阳神阿波罗(Apollo),然后用爱情的铅剑射中达芙妮,结果阿波罗疯狂地追逐达芙妮,而达芙妮则惧怕爱情,被追得无路可逃,就祈求众神,把她化成了月桂树。
在英语中,月桂树就叫daphne。
英语中还用shy as Daphne (羞怯如达芙妮)来表示少女羞羞答答的样子。
echo(回声;反响;重复)、narcissus(水仙花;自恋)厄科(Echo )是一位希腊女神,因说话喋喋不休,受到天后的责罚,只允许她重复别人向她说的最后一句话。
她狂热地爱上了英俊的河神之子那耳客索斯(Narcissus),却遭到拒绝。
那耳客索斯厌烦地说:“别梦想我为你着迷!”厄科只能重复:“我为你着迷。
我为你着迷……”从此厄科躲进山洞,不久憔悴而死。
山洞里只余下她的回声,重复着别人的话。
在英语中,还有cheer sb.(sth.) to the echo,指对某人或某物长时间而大声喝彩。
厄科死后,复仇女神娜梅西丝(Nemesis)为了惩罚那耳客索斯,让他爱上了他自己在泉水中的倒影。
那耳客索斯被自己的倒影迷住了,却又无法得到它,最后抑郁而死。
死后,他化作一种鲜花,即水仙花,永远开在水旁。
希腊人用他的命字命名这种花,叫narcissus。
Narcissism指“自恋、自我陶醉”,narcissistic指“自恋的”。
halcyon(翠鸟):翠鸟的名字来自古希腊神话中一对恩爱夫妻凄惨的爱情故事。
30个源自希腊神话的英语词组
1.ACHILLES’ HEELMeaning: The weakness of an individual which leads to his downfall.Greek Myth: Achilles was a Greek warrior who later became the hero of the Trojan War. When he was an infant, it was prophesized that he would dieyoung. His mother Thetis who was a Nereid (sea goddess) did not desire this and hence she dipped him into the river Styx. The Styx had powers by which any part of the body that made contact with the river became invincible.However, she had held him by the heel when dipping him, thus leaving avulnerable area. He would later die, as prophesized, by a poisoned arrow to his heel.“His love for fast food is one day going to prove to be his achilles’ heel.”2.CAUGHT BETWEEN SCYLLA & CHARYBDISMeaning: A difficult choice where either decision could end in disaster; more familiar as ‘between the devil and the deep blue sea’.Greek Myth: The hero Odysseus spent nine years returning home after theTrojan War. Along his voyage by sea, he came upon Scylla and Charybdis.Scylla was an enormous sea monster with numerous hands and six dog heads sprouting from her body; she ate men alive. Charybdis was a tremendouswhirlpool that digested ships whole. Since the only way to get home was to choose either route, Odysseus had to decide on one horror or the other. He chose Scylla, losing six crewmen to Scylla's hunger.“If I do my mathematics homework, I won’t have time to study for the History test tomorrow, and both teachers are so strict! I’m caught between Scylla and Charybdis!3.DOG AS MAN’S BEST FRIEND OR FAITHFUL COMPANIONMeaning: Self-explanatoryGreek Myth: When Odysseus returned home in disguise after many years, only his faithful dog who had patiently awaited his return recognized him. Hisfamily did not recognize him. Even on its deathbed, the dog managed to look up at its master and wag its tail in appreciation.“He won’t do something so cruel to her; he’s as faithful as a dog.”4.ELYSIUM FIELDSMeaning: ParadiseGreek Myth: The Greeks did not believe in a heaven and hell; instead, theexceptionally good people were sent to Elysium, also known as the ‘Isle of the Blessed’. This was equivalent to Christianity’s paradise.“The party was on a beautiful beach, with wonderful food and drinks; Ithought I had stumbled upon the Elysium fields!”5.THE FACE THAT LAUNCHED A THOUSAND SHIPSMeaning: Any one person causing disaster, especially war.Greek Myth: This is a direct reference to Helen of Troy, who was considered to be the most beautiful woman in the world. The abduction of her by theTrojan prince Paris caused Menelaus, her husband, to declare war on Troy.Because of prior alliances, eventually all of the Greeks got involved; thus, Helen's beauty had ‘launched a thousand ships’ into war.6.FOOD OF THE GODSMeaning: unbelievably delicious delicacies.Greek Myth: Nector and ambrosia were what the gods normally ate – this was the food of the gods. If a mortal were to eat ambrosia, he or she would berendered immortal.“This spread looks like the food of the gods!”7.TITANMeaning: one of great size, strength or achievementGreek Myth: The titans were part of a family of giants, the children of Uranus and Gaea. They tried to rule heaven but were overthrown and supplanted by the family of Zeus. They were very large creatures of enormous strength.“Ratan Tata is one of the titans of Indian enterprise.”8.GORDIAN KNOTMeaning: An extremely perplexing puzzle or problem.Greek Myth: Legend mixes with mythology with respect to this term. King Gordius of Phrygia tied a knot and it was destined that whoever could untie it revealed himself as the future lord of Asia. After many frustrating attempts to untie it, Alexander the Great finally sliced the knot with his sword, proving it would take brute force to eventually capture Asia. Thus, to ‘cut the Gordian knot’ means to solve a puzzle in a powerful, decisive manner.“This week’s crossword in the paper is a Gordian knot!”9.HERCULEAN EFFORTMeaning: A mighty tryGreek Myth: Heracles, (not Hercules) was the son of Zeus and a mortalwoman. Heracles was obligated to fulfill twelve very difficult tasks, called the Labours of Heracles. Any effort we nowadays may deem as tremendous canb e attributed as ‘Herculean’, and is associated with the labours.“Setting up a new house takes Herculean effort.”10.HOT AS HADESMeaning: Sweltering heatGreek Myth: Hades was the ruler of the underworld, called Tartarus. This was where evil people went after death, according to Greek mythology. The place was supposed to be very hot, and severe punishments were constantly meted out. It might be deduced that perhaps the real saying was ‘hot as Tartarus’, but over the years, it has become more popular as ‘hot as Hades’.“In the summers, Mumbai becomes hot as Hades.”11.THE HOUNDS OF HELLMeaning: Allegory for evil, or the pursuit by evilGreek Myth: Again, in reference to Hades's kingdom, Cerberus was a dog who guarded the entrance to the netherworld. There weren't really any‘hounds’, but Cerberus is often depicted with many heads. He was referred to as the hound of hell, and is generally associated with evil.“The gunmen attached the crowds like hounds of hell.”12.MIDAS TOUCHMeaning: A person who always is lucky is said to have the Midas touch.Greek Myth: Perhaps one of mythology's most famous tales is that of King Midas, who was granted the wish that everything he touched would turn into gold. However, he soon realized that he could not eat, or drink, or even hug his daughter. Wisely, he retracted his wish, and by immersing himself in the river Pactolus, lost the ‘golden touch’ or the ‘Midas touch’.“I always involve Ravi in any new venture; he has the Midas touch andensures that things go smoothly.”13. ODYSSEYMeaning: A long adventure, journeyGreek Myth: This term derives from the classical epic by Homer, ‘Odyssey’.The hero Odysseus takes nine long years to return from the Trojan War. Along the way, he has a multitude of adventures.“My odyssey through Rajasthan last month was tiring but very exciting!”14. ELECTRA COMPLEXMeaning:A daughter’s attachment to her fatherGreek Myth:Electra was the daughter of Agamemnon. When her mother Clytemnestra murdered Agamemnon, Electra swore vengeance in Agamemnon's honor.Her relentless obsession was ultimately the cause of Clytemnestra's death. Both Sophocles and Euripedes wrote plays that bear her name.15.PAND ORA’S BOXMeaning: To ‘open a Pandora's Box’ means to invite trouble.Greek Myth: Zeus was disgusted with man and decided to inflict him with theworst trouble imaginable. A woman, Pandora was molded from clay and wasbestowed with gifts of charm and beauty. Zeus then gave her to Epimetheus(whose name means ‘afterthought’) to marry, with a beautiful box of evils asher dowry. Although told not to open it, she inevitably did, and all the evilswere released.“Don’t let mummy see my test results or the Pandora’s Box will be opened!”16.TROJAN HORSEMeaning: destruction by a seemingly benign person or object, on the slyGreek Myth: During the Trojan War, the Trojans were within their city wallswhile the Achaeans (Greeks) lay in wait outside. The Greeks decided to trickthe Trojans. An enormous wooden horse was placed outside their gates. TheTrojans thought that this was a peace-offering or a gift from the gods. Despitewarnings from the princess Cassandra and the priest Laocoon, they broughtthe horse within the city. During the night, hidden soldiers from the horse'sbelly emerged and destroyed the city.“The drink was actually a Trojan horse; she had poisoned it before offeringit.”17 APPLE OF DISCORD- This expression comes from Greek mythology. "This story begins at the wedding of the hero Peleus and the water-nymph Thetis, parents of the famous Achilles. All the gods are invited to the party, saving one: Eris, goddess of discord - an understandable omission. Eris, didn't see it that way and resolved to get revenge." She stole one of Hera's golden apples and inscribed it "Property of the Fairest" and tossed it onto a banquet table "where it was squabbled over by every goddess on hand." From "Brush Up on Your Classics!" By Michael Macrone (Gramercy Books, New York, 1999). Page 178.18TO FIGHT LIKE A TROJAN –This comes from the Trojan War, the "legendary war sung by Homer in the 'Iliad' as having been waged for ten years by the confederated Greeks against the men of Troy and their allies." From "Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable"revised by Adrian Room (HarperCollinsPublishers, New York, 1999, Sixteenth Edition). Page 120319 A SINON –- The Greeks built a hollow horse, the Trojan Horse, and "fill it with their top warriors." The Trojans "drag this 'gift' into their city.When all is safe, the Greeks jump out of the horse and, without pity, destroy the town." From "Brush Up on Your Classics!" By Michael Macrone (Gramercy Books, New York, 1999). Page 13. "Sinon, a great liar, is the man who was in charge of staying by the wooden horse and lighting a beacon lamp as a signal to the Achaeans for their final assault against Troy." /cparada/GML/Sinon.html Retrieved on October 5, 2002. Sinon, left behind by the Greeks -- he claimed it was because Odysseus is his enemy -- told the Trojans the horse was a sacrifice to Athena./academic/english/canary/trojans.html#cassandra Retrieved on October 5, 2002.20 A TRITON AMONG THE MINNOWS- Triton was the son of . "Poseidon and Amphitrite, represented as a fish with a human head. It is this sea-god that makes the roaring of the ocean by blowing through his shell." The expression means: "A great man among a host of inferiors." From "Brewer's Dictionary of Phrase and Fable" revised by Adrian Room (HarperCollinsPublishers, New York, 1999, Sixteenth Edition). Page 1202.21 Oedipus ComplexSigmund Freud believed that all men want to kill their fathers so that they can marry their mothers. So today, whenever we see a guy who is just a bit too close to his mom, we might say that he has an Oedipus complex.The term originated from this Greek story: there was this guy named Oedipus who, at birth, was destined by fate to kill his father (who also happened to be the King of Thebes) and marry his mother. The people in Thebes thought that this was a pretty big deal, so when Oedipus was an infant, he was sent away. As an adult, Oedipus returns to Thebes only to - you guessed it - kill his dad and marry his mom (he didn't know theywere his parents. By the way, the reverse condition (women who seek to kill their mother and marry their father) is called the Elektra complex.22 Herculean taskHercules is actually the Roman name of the Greek hero, Heracles.Heracles is famous for his unbelievable strength. Throughout his life,Heracles was also challenged to many physical tasks (such as defeatingthe many-headed Hydra). Each and every time, Heracles successfullyaccomplished his "labors," all because of his god-like strength. T oday, weuse the term "Herculean task" to refer to a challenge that is so difficult,that only Heracles, with his god-like strength, could accomplish it. Itdoesn't mean that something is impossible, but it means that it'soverwhelmingly large and should require more than one person23o Pandora's boxo The only thing left inside the jar was Hope.24 Arachne, arachnida, arachnoideaIn Greek mythology, the most skillful weaver of Lydia who challenged the goddess Athena to a weaving contest.Athena wove into her web the stories of those who had aroused the anger of the gods, while Arachne chose stories of the errors of the gods.Enraged at the excellence of the work, Athena tore Arachne's web into pieces. Arachne hanged herself in grief and was transformed by Athena into a spider.This was adopted as the spider family in science which includes scorpions, mites, and ticks.The term arachnoid refers to anything that resembles a spider's web.25 Athene, Pallas AthenePallas signifies "brandisher" (someone who waves, flourishes, or exhibits menacingly), that is, as a spear.An asteroid was named Pallas as well as a very rare metallic element called palladiium which was named after the asteroid.Because a statue of Pallas Athene , which stood in front of the city of Troy was supposed to have helped preserve the city from danger, the word palladium also has come to mean "a potent safeguard".26 CalliopeThe name of a musical instrument.The mother of Orpheus was named Calliope because she was the Muse of Eloquence and Heroic Poetry. The name comes from two words meaning "beauty" and "voice".27 CronosThe god of time.From this word, we have the noun chronology which describes an arrangement of events in order of occurrence. Chronic describes something that continues over a long period of time.A chronicler is someone who records a historical account of events in the order of time. A time piece of great accuracy is called a chronometer28 Cyclops (s), Cyclopes (pl)1. Any of the three one-eyed Titans who forged thunderbolts for Zeus.2. Any of a race of one-eyed giants, reputedly descended from these Titans, inhabiting the island of Sicily.3. Etymology: derived from two Greek words meaning "circle" and "eye".We have adopted cyclops in the field of biology to describe the group of tiny, free-swimming crustaceans which have a single eye.Cyclopie is an adjective meaning "monstrous". Cyclopia is a noun used for a massive abnormality in which the eyes are partly or completely fused.The word has been used as a root to describe a wheel in such words as tricycle, bicycle, and motorcycle. It is also used to describe a violent storm which moves in a circle; such as, a cyclone.It also appears in the word encyclopedia to describe circular (or complete) learning. A cyclotron is a large apparatus used for the multiple acceleration of ions to very high speeds.29 Erinyes, Eumenides; the Furies;In Greek mythology, three terrifying snake-haired winged goddesses, named Alecto, Megaera, and Tisiphone, who mercilessly punished wrongdoing, especially when committed within families.Eumenides meant "the kindly ones". We now use the word "euphemism" to describe words which do not say the unpleasant idea intended.From Greek euphemismos, "use of a favorable word in place of an inauspicious one"; from euphemizein "to speak with fair words", from eu-, "good" + pheme, "speaking", from phanai, "to speak".In ancient Greece, the superstitious avoidance of words ofill-omen during religious ceremonies, or substitutions; such as, Eumenides, "the Gracious Ones" with reference to the Furies.In English, a rhetorical term at first; broader sense of "choosing a less distasteful word or phrase than the one meant" was first established or documented in 1793.30 Elysian FieldsA "place of great happiness; blissful, delightful", which inspired the French to call their famous boulevard in Paris the Champs 蒷ys閑.A tree-lined thoroughfare of Paris, France, leading from the Place de la Concorde to the Arc de Triomphe.。
希腊神话人物所演变出来的单词
希腊神话人物所演变出来的单词西方文化有两个源头:一为希腊(Hellenic) 文化 ,一为希伯莱(Hebrew) 文化 ,而希腊文化中的希腊神话(Greek mythology) 对英语影响非常广泛。
现代英语中 ,很多词汇来源于希腊罗马神话中众神的名字 ,至今仍起着重要的作用。
今天通过希腊神话人物了解一些从神话人物中衍生出来的单词。
1、Flora :古希腊罗马神话中的花神。
她嫁给了西风之神Zephyr ,丈夫送给她一座满是奇花异草的园子。
春天时 ,Flora和丈夫 Zephyr 手挽手在园子里漫步 ,他们一路走过的地方百花齐放。
Flora 在现代英语里指代“植物”。
衍生词:flower ,flour , flourish , floral , florist。
2、The Muses(缪斯) :希腊神话中掌管艺术的诸神。
共九位 ,分别是历史、抒情诗、喜剧 (牧歌、田园诗) 、悲剧、歌舞、爱情诗、颂歌、天文、史诗。
Muses 的艺术衍生出单词 music ,Muses 收藏艺术品的地方就是museum。
艺术带来的快乐便是muse ,amusement。
3、Pan(潘) :牧神和森林之神 ,受打扰时会大声吼叫。
衍生词:panic(惊慌 ,恐慌)。
4、Titan(泰坦) :曾统治世界的巨人族的一员。
Titan 在现代英语里指代高大强壮的人 ,重要人物。
衍生词 titanic 意指巨大的 ,极大的。
“泰坦尼克号”即以此命名。
5、Zephyrus(泽费罗斯) :西风之神。
衍生词:zephyr (西风 ,和风 ,微风)。
6、Atlas :阿特拉斯,希腊神话中 Titans (泰坦) 巨神之一 ,因背叛Zeus(宙斯) 被罚在世界的西边尽头以双肩扛天。
其他衍生词:Atlantic。
7、Ceres :庄稼保护神。
古罗马遭受大旱 ,教士们求助女巫占卜 ,占卜的结果是要立一位新的女神 Ceres ,向她供奉 ,这样她就会给大地带来雨水。
英语词汇中的希腊神话故事
英语词汇中的希腊神话故事英语词汇中的希腊神话故事有很多,以下是一些例子:1. Achilles' heel (阿喀琉斯之踵)- 根据希腊神话,阿喀琉斯是希腊军队中一位勇猛的战士,但他的脚跟是唯一的弱点。
他在特洛伊战争中被一支箭射中脚跟,最终身亡。
2. Pandora's box (潘多拉的盒子)- 根据希腊神话,潘多拉是世界上第一个女人,由宙斯创造。
她被赋予了一只盒子,被告知不要打开。
但是,她不能抵制好奇心,打开了盒子,释放了疾病、灾难和邪恶。
3. Trojan horse (特洛伊木马)- 根据希腊神话,特洛伊战争中,希腊军队虚张声势离开,但留下了一座巨大的木马。
特洛伊人把马带入城中,不知道希腊士兵藏在木马里。
夜晚,希腊士兵从木马中出来,攻陷了特洛伊城。
4. Narcissus (自恋者那西修斯)- 根据希腊神话,那西修斯是一个非常美丽的青年,但他狂恋自己的美貌。
他看到自己的倒影后,深深地爱上了自己,不愿离开倒影,最终变成了一朵水仙花。
5. Odyssey (奥德赛)- 在希腊神话中,奥德赛是特洛伊战争后,奥德修斯回家的故事。
他经历了许多冒险和困难,包括与各种怪物和海神的战斗,最终成功回到故乡。
6. Herculean task (海格力斯的工作)- 根据希腊神话,海格力斯是一位非常强壮的英雄,被迫完成了十二项艰巨的任务。
这个词被用来形容特别困难或庞大的工作。
7. Phoenix rising from the ashes (凤凰涅槃)- 根据希腊神话,凤凰是一种传说中的鸟,可以自己焚身后再生。
这个词在英语中被用来形容一个人或事物经历失败或毁灭后,得以重建或再次崛起。
这只是一小部分希腊神话故事在英语词汇中的应用。
希腊神话故事在西方文化中有着深远的影响,其中许多故事被用作象征和比喻。
希腊罗马神话中的英语词汇
希腊罗马神话中的英语词汇1、Flora:古希腊罗马神话中的花神。
她嫁给了西风之神Zephyr,丈夫送给她一座满是奇花异草的园子。
春天时,Flora和丈夫Zephyr手挽手在园子里漫步,他们一路走过的地方百花齐放。
Flora在现代英语里指代“植物”。
衍生词:flower,flour,flourish,floral,florist。
2、Muses(缪斯):希腊神话中掌管艺术的诸神。
共九位,分别是历史、抒情诗、喜剧(牧歌、田园诗)、悲剧、歌舞、爱情诗、颂歌、天文、史诗。
Muses 的艺术衍生出单词music,Muses收藏艺术品的地方就是museum。
艺术带来的快乐便是amuse,amusement。
3、Pan(潘):牧神和森林之神,受打扰时会大声吼叫。
衍生词panic(惊慌,恐慌)。
4、Titan(泰坦):曾统治世界的巨人族的一员。
Titan在现代英语里指代高大强壮的人,重要人物。
衍生词titanic意指巨大的,极大的。
“泰坦尼克号”即以此命名。
5、Zephyrus(泽费罗斯):西风之神。
衍生词zephyr(西风,和风,微风)。
6、Atlas:希腊神话中Titans(泰坦)巨神之一,因背叛Zeus(宙斯)被罚在世界的西边尽头以双肩扛天。
16世纪地理学家麦卡脱把Atlas擎天图作为一本地图册的卷首插图。
后人争相效仿,atlas从此有了地图、地图集、身负重担的人的含义。
其他衍生词:Atlantic。
7、Ceres:庄稼保护神。
古罗马遭受大旱,教士们求助女巫占卜,占卜的结果是要立一位新的女神Ceres,向她供奉,这样她就会给大地带来雨水。
此后,Ceres就变成了庄稼的保护神。
cereal从拉丁语变化而来,意即“of Ceres”属于谷物女神的。
衍生词:cereals(谷类,早餐麦片)。
8、Cronos:宙斯的父亲。
害怕子女反抗自己,曾吞食自己的后代。
就像无情的时间,吞噬一切。
因此字根“chron”意指“time”。
源自古希腊神话的英语词汇
源自古希腊神话的英语词汇最近在背gre,发现有些词直接来自希腊/罗马神话,一时兴起就搜罗了些。
对古典西方文化感兴趣的同学可以借此再丰富一下单词库~音标都来自剑桥词典的英式发音关于一些英语学习的小tips,请参见:1、erotic /ɪˈrɒtɪk/意思:relating to sex; trying to arouse sexual desire 例句:there are some erotic contents in his new book.这个词来自希腊神 eros 爱罗斯,对应罗马神丘比特。
2、aurora /ɔːˈrɔːrə/意思:极光例句:aurora usually appears in arctic areas.aurora 是希腊中的曙光女神。
3、nemesis /ˈneməsɪs/意思:惩罚例句:dishonesty will be followed by nemesis. nemesis 涅莫西斯是希腊的复仇女神。
4、zephyr /ˈzefə/意思:轻风、柔风zephyr 是希腊的西风之神。
5、tantalize /ˈtæntəlaɪz/意思:torment or tease (someone) with the sight or promise of something that is unobtainable例句:the poor boy is still tantalized by his ex-girlfriend.在希腊神话中,tantalus 试图在宴席上把自己的儿子作为菜品献给众神。
宙斯为此惩罚他,将他置入一个水塘中永远忍受口渴和饥饿。
水塘岸上是一个近在咫尺却够不到的果树。
6、phobia /ˈfəʊbiə/意思:恐惧症衍生词有 xenophobia 仇外的phobos 是希腊的恐惧之神。
7、nectar /ˈnektə/意思:花蜜例句:bees collect nectar and turn it into honey.在希腊神话中,nectar 是众神的饮料。
希腊罗马神话中的英语词汇
1、Flora:古希腊罗马神话中的花神。
她嫁给了西风之神Zephyr,丈夫送给她一座满是奇花异草的园子。
春天时,Flora和丈夫Zephyr手挽手在园子里漫步,他们一路走过的地方百花齐放。
Flora在现代英语里指代“植物”。
衍生词:flower,flour,flourish,floral,florist。
2、Muses(缪斯):希腊神话中掌管艺术的诸神。
共九位,分别是历史、抒情诗、喜剧(牧歌、田园诗)、悲剧、歌舞、爱情诗、颂歌、天文、史诗。
Muses的艺术衍生出单词music,Muses收藏艺术品的地方就是museum。
艺术带来的快乐便是amuse,amusement。
3、Pan(潘):牧神和森林之神,受打扰时会大声吼叫。
衍生词panic(惊慌,恐慌)。
4、Titan(泰坦):曾统治世界的巨人族的一员。
Titan在现代英语里指代高大强壮的人,重要人物。
衍生词titanic意指巨大的,极大的。
“泰坦尼克号”即以此命名。
5、Zephyrus(泽费罗斯):西风之神。
衍生词zephyr(西风,和风,微风)。
6、Atlas:希腊神话中Titans(泰坦)巨神之一,因背叛Zeus(宙斯)被罚在世界的西边尽头以双肩扛天。
16世纪地理学家麦卡脱把Atlas擎天图作为一本地图册的卷首插图。
后人争相效仿,atlas从此有了地图、地图集、身负重担的人的含义。
其他衍生词:Atlantic。
7、Ceres:庄稼保护神。
古罗马遭受大旱,教士们求助女巫占卜,占卜的结果是要立一位新的女神Ceres,向她供奉,这样她就会给大地带来雨水。
此后,Ceres就变成了庄稼的保护神。
cereal从拉丁语变化而来,意即“of Ceres”属于谷物女神的。
衍生词:cereals(谷类,早餐麦片)。
8、Cronos:宙斯的父亲。
害怕子女反抗自己,曾吞食自己的后代。
就像无情的时间,吞噬一切。
因此字根“chron”意指“time”。
衍生词:chronic(耗费时间的,慢性的):chronology(年代学,年表)。
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Words derived from Greek mythology
Achilles’ heel: a vulnerable point [fr. L, fr. Gk Achilleus Achilles, the greatest Greek warrior at Troy, slayer of Hector]
Argus-eyed: vigilantly observant [L, fr. Gk Argos, a hundred-eyed monster of Greek mythology] Atlas: A book containing maps of various locations. Atlas was a titan condemned to hold up the sky on his shoulders.
Augean stable: a condition or place marked by great accumulation of filth or corruption [L Augeas, king of Elis, fr. Gk Augeias; fr. the legend that his stable, left neglected for 30 years, was
finally cleaned by Hercules]
Cereal: Any grain, such as wheat, oats, barley, etc. Named after Ceres, goddess of farming and agriculture.
Chronicle: A list of events in the order they happened. Named for Cronus (Saturn), father of Jupiter and leader of the titans.
Cloth: any type of natural fabric. Clotho, one of the Fates, gave her name to this material.
Delphic utterance: a comment or response to a question that is ambiguous and therefore difficult to understand [fr. Delphi, the site of the oracle of Apollo]
Echo: The reflection of a sound wave. Echo was a wood nymph whose voice was taken from her by Juno, and she was thereafter only capable of repeating others.
Herculean: a seemingly impossible task, such as the twelve labors Hercules had to perform to win his freedom
Jovial: good-humored. When he wasn?t tossing around lightning bolts, Jupiter (also known as Jove) would probably be in this mood.
Labyrinth: either a maze with many twists and passages or a tortuous procedure. Comes from the name of the maze Daedalus built for King Minos of Crete.
Martial: relating to or suggestive of war. Named for Mars, god of war.
Midas touch: an uncanny ability for making money in every venture [L, fr. Gk legend of the Phrygian king Midas who is given the power to turn everything he touched into gold] Music: harmonious and rhythmic arraignments of sound. Named after the Muses, goddesses of the arts and sciences.
Narcissistic: excessive self-admiration. Narcissus was a man who fell in love with his reflection. Olympian feat: a lofty task, as one befitting the immortals [fr. Gk Olympos, the mountain in Greek mythology that is the home of the gods]
Orator: one who speaks in public. Derives from oracle, places where the gods and mortals would go for help.
Pandora’s box: a prolific source of troubles [fr. the myth surrounding the box sent by the gods to Pandora]
Panic: a sudden, intense, contagious fear. The god Pan was known for causing such fear in people. Plutocrat: government of rich people. Pluto lived in the underworld, surrounded by mineral wealth. procrustean bed: a scheme or pattern into which someone or something is arbitrarily forced [L, fr.
Gk Prokroustes Procrustes, a villainous son of Poseidon in Greek mythology who forces
travelers to fit into his bed by stretching their bodies or cutting off their legs]
Psyche: The soul or mind, named for Psyche, the wife of Cupid.
Python: a massive snake that kills its prey by constriction. Named after Python, a monster that lived in a cave near Delphi and was killed by Apollo.
siren song: an alluring utterance or appeal, especially one that is seductive or deceptive [ME sereyn, fr. OF sereine, fr. L Siren, fr. Gk Serein Siren, one of several mythological Greek sea nymphs, part woman and part bird, supposed to lure sailors to their destruction by their seductive
singing]
Struck by Cupid’s arrow: smitten, in love [L Cupido, the Roman god of erotic love]
Titanic: of massive size, like the titans, the gigantic sons of Uranus and Gaia.。