quixotic
Definition from Wiktionary, the free dictionary
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[edit] English
[edit] Etymology
The surname of Don Quixote, the titular character in the novel by Miguel Cervantes, + -ic
[edit] Pronunciation
- (RP) IPA: /kwɪkˈsɒtɪk/, SAMPA: /kwIk"sQtIk/
- (US) IPA: /kwɪkˈsɑtɪk/, /kwɪgˈzɑtɪk/, SAMPA: /kwIg"zAtIk/
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Audio (US) (file) - Rhymes: -ɒtɪk
[edit] Adjective
quixotic (comparative more quixotic, superlative most quixotic)
- Possessing or acting with the desire to do noble and romantic deeds, without thought of realism and practicality.
- Impulsive.
- Like Don Quixote; romantic to extravagance; absurdly chivalric; apt to be deluded.
[edit] Usage notes
Although the term is derived from the name of the character, Don Quixote, the x is fully pronounced; the x in Don Quixote, by contrast, is pronounced more as an h.
Conversely, received pronunciation maintains the pronunciation of the semivowel "h" without the strong phoneme of 'x". For some reason though, this is not reflected in the pronunciation represented above in the IPA depiction of the RP variant of the word.
[edit] Derived terms
[edit] Translations
possessing or acting with the desire to do noble and romantic deeds, without thought of realism and practicality
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