amazon
noun
Did you know?
In Greek mythology, an Amazon was a member of a race of women warriors. One of the famous labors of Heracles (Hercules) was to obtain the sash of the Amazon queen Hippolyta, and the hero Theseus married Hippolyta's sister. The Amazon River got its name when, in 1542, the first Europeans to descend the river were attacked by Indian warriors who, even at close range, they believed to be women. The mystery of these warriors continues to this day. However impressive a figure they cut, though, not every tall and strong woman today would take it as a compliment to be called an amazon.
Example Sentences
Word History
Middle English Amazones, plural, borrowed from Latin Amazōn, borrowed from Greek Amázōn, of uncertain origin
Note: The name was popularly explained by ancient authors as deriving from the negating prefix a- a- entry 2 and mazós "breast," from the belief that the Amazons removed their right breast to be better able to draw a bow.
14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Geographical Definition
Amazon
geographical name
Note: By volume, the Amazon is the largest river in the world. In length, the Amazon is the longest river in South America.
amazons
noun
Synonyms & Similar Words
- giantesses
- giants
- titans
- dreadnoughts
- elephants
- behemoths
- colossi
- elephant
- whales
- mammoths
- leviathans
- jumbos
- dinosaurs
- mastodons
- hulks
- monsters
- blockbusters
- Goliaths
- heavyweights
- juggernauts
- whoppers
- bulks
- steamrollers
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- midgets
- pygmies
- dwarves
- pigmies
- dwarfs
- runts
- shrimp
- mites
- shrimps
- diminutives
- peewees
- weaklings
- wisps
- lightweights
- wimps
- nonentities
- half-pints
- twerps
- whippersnappers