quixotic (2009-10-26)

Part of Speech: adjective

Pronunciation: [kwik-'sah-tik]

Definition: Naively idealistic; erratic, unpredictable.

Usage: "Brandon has the quixotic idea that he can convince the boss to give us all a raise this year," reflects a solid skepticism on the part of the speaker that Brandon will succeed. However, you may also say that Brandon's quixotic attendance habits cost him a passing grade in the course, meaning that he attended erratically, missing classes for no apparent reason.

Suggested Usage: This is a word whose meaning is changing from "naively idealistic" to "erratic, unpredictable." The former meaning is used considerably less often than the latter today.

Etymology: A commonization (conversion of a proper noun to a common one) from the English pronunciation of Quixote [kwik-sot] "a naive visionary" after Don Quixote [kee-'ho-tee], hero of the Spanish epic novel by Miguel de Cervantes.