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A.Word.A.Day--cyclopean

cyclopean (sy-kluh-PEE-uhn, si-KLOP-ee-uhn) adjective

1. Of or suggestive of Cyclops; one-eyed.

2. Huge.

3. Formed with large, irregular stones closely fitted without the use of mortar.

[From Latin Cyclopeus, from Greek Kyklops (Cyclops), from kyklos (circle) + ops (eye). Cyclops were a race of savage one-eyed giants in Greek mythology. They forged thunderbolts for Zeus in return for their freedom. Cyclopean walls were attributed to them for their strength in building such massive walls.]

See more usage examples of cyclopean in Vocabulary.com's dictionary.

Pictures of Cyclops.

"Unlike the Tate Modern, which cleared out all its cyclopean turbines and boilers, the Wapping Project has retained as much as is sensible." Hugh Pearman; Power for the People; Sunday Times (London, UK); Oct 8, 2000.

"The stones of the arch have been replaced, but there are still the huge original cyclopean slabs at the base." Barry Unsworth; Volterra's Past Speaks In Its Stones; The New York Times; Mar 31, 2002.

This week's theme: words derived from the names of mythical creatures.

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