May 11th 2009

Words for the week

Theme of the week: words derived from names of people
Mesmerise
Origin: Friedrich Mesmer created a sensation in Vienna and Paris by his assertion
that there existed a power which he termed animal magnetism. Quickly mesmerism
was the name given to this power which now goes under the name if hypnotism.
Meaning: attract strongly as if it was a magnet

POS: verb
Usage: She mesmerized the audience by her performance.
She mesmerized him into giving her all his money.
Other related words: charmed, hypnotized, influenced

Chauvinist
Origin: Nicholas Chauvin was a legendary soldier in Napoleons army, extremely
devoted to his employer. After Napoleons downfall (remember the battle of
Waterloo) ,Chauvin is supposed to have displayed such exaggerated patriotism that he
was held up to ridicule. Thus the word derives its meaning.
Meaning: prejudiced belief in the superiority of ones gender
POS: noun
Usage: Not that I am an ardent chauvinist but I do have a love affair with this
country.
Other related words: bigot, jingoist

Sadistic
Origin: Count de Sade a French soldier who was infamous for his
writings and misdeeds, describes a situation in which a person
derives pleasure from tormenting someone he loves. And hence the
meaning of the word.
Meaning: The deriving of pleasure, or the tendency to derive
pleasure, from cruelty.
POS: noun

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May 11th 2009

Usage: Natural goodwill, intelligence, religion and love can sustain the human spirit
against the forces of savagery and sadism.
Other related words: masochist

Platonic
Origin: Plato did not invent the term or the concept that bears his name, but he did
see sexual desire as the germ for higher loves. Marsilio Ficino, a Renaissance
follower of Plato, used the terms amor socraticus and amor platonicus
interchangeably for a love between two humans that was preparatory for the love of
God
Meaning: relating to Plato or his philosophy
Friendly or affectionate without inclination towards physical desires
POS: adjective
Usage: The concept of `platonic love' between people of opposite sexes is based on a
passage in one of his writings.
Other related words: passionless

Narcissism
Origin: According to Greek mythology Narcissus was a handsome
young man, who fell in love with a girl. The girl wasnt reciprocating
to his feelings, so he want to a magician to get a solution to his
problem. The magician gave him a liquid which after consuming
would have the first person he sees fall in love with him. He drank the
liquid, closed his eyes and started walking towards the girl. While
walking he came across a river. To cross the river he had to open his
eyes. The moment he opened his eyes he saw his own reflection and
fell in love with himself and hence narcissism means a self admiration or love.
Meaning: excessive love of oneself
POS: noun
Usage: In general, narcissism and jealousy are the two avenues to power, the two
ways to express and achieve power.
Other related words: self-love, vanity, conceit

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