promethean

C2 Topic:Abstract Ideas

US /prəˈmiːθiən/ UK /prəˈmiːθiən/ See IPA manual

Freq #95917

Meanings

1

adj
daringly creative, inventive, or defiant of accepted limits

The engineer pursued a Promethean plan to transform the region's energy supply.
2

adj
relating to Prometheus, the mythic figure who stole fire from the gods for humanity

The poem treats scientific discovery as a Promethean theft of fire.
3

noun
historical: an early chemical match ignited by crushing a small glass capsule of acid

The traveler lit a promethean by breaking its acid-filled tube.

Thesaurus

Synonyms

1 adj · daringly creative,... boldly inventiveaudacious visionary

2 adj · relating to prometheus, the... Prometheus-like

3 noun · historical: an early... promethean match

Opposites

unoriginal conventional

Word family

Derived forms prometheanism

Related forms Prometheusfire innovationchemical match

Etymology

From Prometheus + -an. The Greek mythic name was traditionally associated with forethought; Prometheus stole divine fire for humanity and suffered for his defiance. The adjective therefore developed senses of bold creativity and rebellion, while an early fire-producing chemical match took the same name.

Topics

Abstract Ideas

External links

# promethean

**Type:** Word
**Level:** C2
**Part of speech:** adj, noun
**IPA (US):** /prəˈmiːθiən/
**IPA (UK):** /prəˈmiːθiən/
**Frequency rank:** 95917

## Meanings
1. daringly creative, inventive, or defiant of accepted limits
2. relating to Prometheus, the mythic figure who stole fire from the gods for humanity
3. historical: an early chemical match ignited by crushing a small glass capsule of acid

## Examples
- The engineer pursued a Promethean plan to transform the region's energy supply.
- The poem treats scientific discovery as a Promethean theft of fire.
- The traveler lit a promethean by breaking its acid-filled tube.

## Synonyms
- boldly inventive
- audacious
- visionary

## Antonyms
- unoriginal
- conventional

## Derived Forms
- prometheanism

## Related Forms
- Prometheus
- fire
- innovation
- chemical match

## Etymology
From Prometheus + -an. The Greek mythic name was traditionally associated with forethought; Prometheus stole divine fire for humanity and suffered for his defiance. The adjective therefore developed senses of bold creativity and rebellion, while an early fire-producing chemical match took the same name.

## Topics
- Abstract Ideas

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