quixotic

English

WOTD – 28 November 2006

Etymology

Borrowed from Spanish Quixote, the surname of Don Quixote, the titular character in the novel by Miguel Cervantes, + -ic.

Pronunciation

  • (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /kwɪkˈsɒtɪk/
  • (US) IPA(key): /kwɪkˈsɑtɪk/, /kwɪɡˈzɑtɪk/, /kiːˈzɑtɪk/
  • (rare) IPA(key): /kiˈɑtɪk/
  • (file)
  • Rhymes: -ɒtɪk

Adjective

quixotic (comparative more quixotic, superlative most quixotic)

  1. Possessing or acting with the desire to do noble and romantic deeds, without thought of realism and practicality; exceedingly idealistic.
  2. Impulsive.
  3. Like Don Quixote; romantic to extravagance; absurdly chivalric; apt to be deluded.

Usage notes

Although the term is derived from the name of the character Don Quixote, the letters qu and x are both read as is usual for English spelling (/kw/ and /ks/), possibly due to analogy with exotic. In "Don Quixote", by contrast, the pronunciation more closely resembles the modern Spanish (/k/ and /h~x/).

Derived terms

Translations

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