Theos-Talk Archives (April 2004 Message tt00485)

Someone at work subscribes to the Merriam-Webster word of the day, and sends
around a copy for people to comment on. Today's word may be of interest.

-- Eldon

---- quoted text follows ----

The Word of the Day for Apr 15 is

: hubris \HYOO-bris\ noun 

: exaggerated pride or self-confidence 

Example sentence:

Many have fallen into the trap of Icarus, and soar, overcome with hubris,
until their pride is thwarted and rude reality hurls them earthward again.

Did you know?

English picked up both the concept of hubris and the term for that
particular brand of cockiness from the ancient Greeks, who considered hubris
a dangerous character flaw capable of provoking the wrath of the gods. In
classical Greek tragedy, hubris was often a fatal shortcoming that brought
about the fall of the tragic hero. Typically, overconfidence led the hero to
attempt to overstep the boundaries of human limitations and assume a godlike
status, and the gods inevitably humbled the offender with a sharp reminder
of his or her mortality.

*Indicates the sense illustrated in the example sentence.