QUIXOTIC

quixotic, romantic, wild-eyed

(adjective) not sensible about practical matters; idealistic and unrealistic; “as quixotic as a restoration of medieval knighthood”; “a romantic disregard for money”; “a wild-eyed dream of a world state”

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Etymology

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; exceedingly idealistic.

Impulsive.

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/).

Source: Wiktionary


Quix*ot"ic, a.

Definition: Like Don Quixote; romantic to extravagance; absurdly chivalric; apt to be deluded. "Feats of quixotic gallantry." Prescott.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

6 June 2025

PUNGENCY

(noun) wit having a sharp and caustic quality; “he commented with typical pungency”; “the bite of satire”


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Coffee Trivia

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