quixotism

[ kwik-suh-tiz-uhm ]

/ ˈkwɪk səˌtɪz əm /

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noun

(sometimes initial capital letter) quixotic character or practice.

a quixotic idea or act.

QUIZ

QUIZ YOURSELF ON "WAS" VS. "WERE"!

Were you ready for a quiz on this topic? Well, here it is! See how well you can differentiate between the uses of "was" vs. "were" in this quiz.

Question 1 of 7

“Was” is used for the indicative past tense of “to be,” and “were” is only used for the subjunctive past tense.

Origin of quixotism

1660–70; (Don) Quixote + -ism

Happy will it be for us, if a moral Don Quixotism does not intrude itself into our efforts for true reform.
The Way to Abolish Slavery|Charles Stearns
But there was no piece of quixotism they did not think Michael capable of.
The Black Opal|Katharine Susannah Prichard
He opened his lips once more to launch nervous English against this quixotism, but Strong interposed.
A Good Samaritan|Mary Raymond Shipman Andrews
I could have wrung my hands over Max's obstinacy and quixotism: he carried his generosity to a fault.
Uncle Max|Rosa Nouchette Carey

I could see he was cut to the heart, that he loves our brave Jenny deeply, truly, and there isn't any quixotism about it.
A Tame Surrender, A Story of The Chicago Strike|Charles King