quixotic

Where does the word "quixotic" come from? It comes from Spanish Don Quixote, and was adopted directly into English (1815).

Quixotic’s story begins in Spanish: Don Quixote meant “a fictional knight's name.” Cervantes's fictional knight, whose idealistic, impractical adventures gave the word its meaning. It reached English by 1815 as quixotic. Coined from the character's name for extravagantly idealistic, impractical behavior. Today, quixotic means exceedingly idealistic, unrealistic, and impractical, often in a foolishly noble way.

1. Stage 1 · Spanish · 1605 Don Quixote "a fictional knight's name", Cervantes's fictional knight, whose idealistic, impractical adventures gave the word its meaning.
2. Stage 2 · English · 1815 quixotic "extravagantly idealistic and impractical", coined from the character's name for extravagantly idealistic, impractical behavior.