Quixotic
Meaning
Exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical, often pursuing noble but ultimately unattainable goals.
Origin
The word "quixotic" springs directly from the pages of Miguel de Cervantes's epic 17th-century novel, "Don Quixote de la Mancha." Its titular character, Don Quixote, is an elderly nobleman who loses his mind from reading too many chivalric romances, deciding to become a knight-errant to revive the golden age of chivalry. He sets forth on a series of adventures, perceiving windmills as giants and ordinary inns as grand castles, driven by an exaggerated and impractical idealism. His noble but ultimately absurd and futile endeavors cemented his name in history as a byword for grand, romantic, yet utterly unrealistic pursuits.
Examples
- His quixotic quest to save every stray cat in the city, though noble, proved impossible to fund.
- The young activist, full of quixotic ideals, often found himself at odds with the pragmatic realities of politics.