English words from Greek Gods Names:
Which English words are originated from ancient Greek gods?
There are several commonly used English words which have an origin in Greek god’s names. Here is a list of very commonly used words.
English Words | Meaning | Origin from which Greek god? |
Atlas | a book of maps | Atlas, Titan who held the sky on his shoulders |
Cereal | wheat, oats, corn | Ceres, goddess of agriculture |
Chronology | list of events in time | Cronos, god of time |
Cloth | fabric formed by weaving | Clotho, the Fate that spun the thread of life |
Cornucopia | horn of plenty | Cornucopia |
Echo | repetition of a sound | Echo, who could only repeat other’s words |
Fortune | chance happening or luck | Fortuna, goddess of luck |
Hypnosis | sleeplike state | Hypnos, god of sleep |
Jovial | good cheer | Jove alternate name of Jupiter |
Junoesque | stately bearing | Juno stately, majestic goddess |
Martial | relating to war | Mars, god of war |
Mercurial | quick and changeable | Mercury, messenger god |
Midas touch | ability to make money | Midas |
Mnemonics | system to improve memory | Mnemosyne, goddess of memory |
Music | arrangement of sounds of harmony | the Muses |
Narcissism | excessive love of oneself | Narcissus |
Panic | sudden terror | Pan |
Plutocracy | government run by the wealthy | Pluto, god of wealth |
Psychology | science of mental behavior | Psyche |
Somnambulism | to act while asleep | Somnus, god of sleep |
Stentorian | extremely loud | Stentor, the Herald |
Tantalize | keeping in sight but out of reach | Tantalus |
Terpsichorean | relating to dancing | Terpsichore |
Typhoon | tropical cyclone | Typhon |
Venerate | regard with reverence | Venus |
Vestal | chaste, pure | Vesta |
Volcano | opening in Earth’s crust that ejects lava | Vulcan |
Zephyr | gentle west wind | Zephyrus |