This week’s theme
Eponyms from Greek mythology

This week’s words
orphic
myrmidon
nemesis
amazon
muse

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A.Word.A.Day

PRONUNCIATION:

(MUHR-mi-dahn, -duhn)

MEANING:

noun: One who unquestioningly follows orders.

ETYMOLOGY:

In Greek mythology, the Myrmidons were led by Achilles in the Trojan War. The name is possibly from Greek myrmex (ant). In a version of the story, Zeus created Myrmidons from ants. Earliest documented use: 1425.

USAGE:

“Dr. Marsh refuses to comply and serve as a myrmidon.”
Jerome Groopman; Brain Surgeons; The New York Times; May 21, 2015.

See more usage examples of myrmidon in Vocabulary.com’s dictionary.

A THOUGHT FOR TODAY: