The World of Words: Vocabulary for College Success ... - eLibrary

Words to Learn 18920. maverick (noun, adjective) măvər-ĭka. an independent-minded person who refuses to follow acceptedrules and guidelines (noun)Winston Churchill was a maverick who changed politicalparties twice in his career.b. independent-minded (adjective)Against the guidelines of his church, the maverick churchelder urged that women be allowed to become ministers.Maverick of TexasIn the 1800s, cattlemen began branding their calves to indicate ownership.Samuel Maverick, a Texan rancher of independent spirit, refused to follow thecustom. This annoyed the other ranchers, who called all unbranded cattlemavericks. Eventually, the word was used to describe independent people likeMaverick himself. Maverick led a colorful life, fighting duels, spending time inprison, and serving in the Texas legislature.21. odyssey (noun) ŏdĭ-se –a long and adventurous journeyErnesto ‘Ché’ Guevara’s 1952 motorcycle odyssey throughSouth America changed his ideas about social justice.As the result of a spiritual odyssey that led him to join theNation of Islam, Malcolm Little changed his name toMalcolm X.Copyright © Cengage Learning. All Right Reserved.Homer’s OdysseyThe Odyssey, a classic ancient Greek poem by Homer, details the journey ofOdysseus (also known as Ulysses) back home from the Trojan War. His adventuresinclude a shipwreck, a visit to the underworld, the irresistible songs of the dangerousSirens, and a choice between meeting two monsters, Scylla and Charybdis.In honor of this hero, an intense physical or spiritual journey is called an odyssey.22. quixotic (adjective) kwĭk-sŏtĭknoble but not practical; having unreachable ideals; idealisticIn a quixotic attempt to stop the loggers from destroying aforest, Maribel tied herself to a tree.