different between quixotic vs quixotry

English

Etymology

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

Pronunciation

• (Received Pronunciation) IPA^(key): /kw?k?s?t?k/
• (US) IPA^(key): /kw?k?s?t?k/, /kw???z?t?k/, /ki??z?t?k/
• (rare) IPA^(key): /ki??t?k/
• Rhymes: -?t?k

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

• quixotically

Translations

English

Etymology

From Quixote +? -ry.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /?kw?ks?t?i/

Noun

quixotry (countable and uncountable, plural quixotries)

1. A wild, visionary idea, an eccentric notion or act; a quixotism.
   • 1974, Lawrence Durrell, Monsieur, Faber & Faber 1992, p. 158:

     She knew that her brother was capable of any quixotry, any excess.

   • 1930, W. Somerset Maugham, Cakes and Ale, Penguin Books 1993, p. 20:

     His quixotry might exasperate, but could not affront, them.

Related terms

• Don Quixote
• quixotic

Translations

See also

• Don Quixote on Wikipedia.Wikipedia