Odyssey Vocab
December 17, 2008 | Print This Homework Post
The Odyssey: Vocabulary Enrichment
aegis: 1. shield 2. umbrella organization
hecatomb: oxen for sacrifice; lit. one hundred oxen
pyre: funeral mound with corpse which is burned
Mt. Olympus: site of the council of the gods
oracle:1. place at which vague answers from gods were given to men by priests
nectar: drink of the gods
ambrosia: food of the gods
Elysian Fields: place in Hades for deceased heroes
Tartarus: place in Hades for the damned
Odyssey: a long, difficult journey
rhapsode: professional bard, singer, minstrel
Achaeans: Greeks, region of Achaea in the Peloponnesus
Argives: Greeks, region of Argolis
Epithets: formulaic phrases designating qualities (Ex. “Clear headed Odysseus” or “The nymph with the lovely braids…”
libations: drink, generally wine, offered to the gods.
caduceus: Hermes’ staff, topped with wings and intertwined with snakes
prophecy: (noun): prediction
arete: excellence, generally physical prowess
Spurting- v. To force out in a sudden jet.
Barred- adj. Preventing entry or exit or a course of action- e.g. A barricaded street.
Recoup- v. 1. To get back the equivalent of.
2. Reimburse.
Jutting- adj. Extending or protruding.
Whet- v. 1. To sharpen.
2. To make keen or eager.
Scuttling- v. To run in quick, hasty steps; to scurry.
Convulsive- adj. 1. Affected by involuntary muscular spasms.
2. Resembling a convulsion in terms of being sudden or violent.
Spurn-v. To reject with disdain, to scorn.
Callous- adj. 1. Hardened.
2. Insensitive or unsympathetic.
Lavish- v. To bestow, giving in great amounts.
Burnished- adj. Made smooth or bright as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow.
Asphodel- n. In Greek mythology, the flowers of Hades and the dead, sacred to Persephone. (Either
A daffodil or a lily.)
Guile- n. Treacherous cunning; skillful deceit.
Brusque- adj. Abrupt in manner, blun
Comments
Got something to say?