mythic
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Definition
- Adjective:
- Based on or told of in traditional stories; lacking factual basis or historical validity: Describes something that originates from, is characteristic of, or resembles a myth. It often implies the subject is legendary, imaginary, or not real.
- Having the nature or quality of myth; of great symbolic importance or power: Describes something that has achieved a legendary, archetypal, or profoundly significant status, often beyond ordinary measure.
Usage
- The primary use is as an adjective to modify nouns.
- It describes subjects from mythology (e.g., mythic heroes) or subjects that have taken on a legendary, almost unreal quality in modern contexts (e.g., a mythic achievement).
Examples
- Based on traditional stories:
- The mythic hero Hercules is known for his incredible strength.
- Dragons are mythic creatures found in the folklore of many cultures.
- Having symbolic, legendary importance:
- The athlete's mythic status was cemented by his record-breaking performance.
- The battle has taken on a mythic significance in the nation's history.
Advanced Usage
- "Mythic proportions": Used to describe something of an extraordinarily large scale or significance.
- The scandal eventually grew to mythic proportions.
- In literary and cultural criticism, "mythic" can describe narratives, characters, or themes that tap into universal, archetypal patterns found across cultures.
Variants and Related Words
- Mythical (adj): Very similar in meaning, often used interchangeably with "mythic," especially for the first definition (based on myth).
- They searched for the mythical city of El Dorado.
- Mythological (adj): More specifically relating to the body of myths from a particular culture.
- She studies Greek mythological figures.
- Myth (n): The traditional story itself.
- The myth of creation varies from culture to culture.
Synonyms
- Legendary: Very well-known from stories of the past; akin to a legend.
- Fabulous: Resembling or based on fable; incredible.
- Archetypal: Representing a perfect example or a fundamental, symbolic model.
Antonyms
- Historical: Belonging to the past, based on facts and records.
- Factual: Concerned with what is actually true.
- Real: Actually existing as a thing or occurring in fact.
Adjective
- based on or told of in traditional stories; lacking factual basis or historical validity
- mythical centaurs
- the fabulous unicorn
- relating to or having the nature of myth
- a novel of almost mythic consequence