δεινός
Lemma: δεινός
Translation: terrible; fearful; clever; skilled; powerful; extraordinary (adjective)
Etymology: From Ancient Greek δεινός (deinós). Related to English 'dinosaur' (δεινός + σαῦρος, meaning 'terrible lizard')
Mnemonics
- Think of 'dinosaur' - something terribly powerful
- Sounds like 'dino' which reminds us of something mighty and fearsome
Cultural Context
Often used in formal or literary contexts. The meaning can shift between negative ('terrible') and positive ('skilled') connotations depending on context.
Easily Confused With
Explanation: δεινός means 'terrible/skilled' while δειλός means 'cowardly'
Confused word:
Είναι πολύ δειλός άνθρωπος.
He is a very cowardly person.
Notes: The similar spelling can cause confusion for beginners
Mnemonic: δεινός has 'n' for 'notable/skilled', δειλός has 'l' for 'lacking courage'