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Chary vs Quixotic - What's the difference?

chary | quixotic |

As adjectives the difference between chary and quixotic

is that chary is sad; sorrowful; grievous while quixotic is possessing or acting with the desire to do noble and romantic deeds, without thought of realism and practicality; exceedingly idealistic.

chary

English

Adjective

(er)
  • (obsolete) Sad; sorrowful; grievous.
  • Disposed to cherish with care; careful.
  • Cautious; wary; shy.
  • * act 1 scene 3 lines 35-36
    • The chariest maid is prodigal enough'' / ''If she unmasks her beauty to the moon.
  • *1598 , Shakespeare, lines 11-12
    • Bearing thy heart, which I will keep so chary / ''As tender nurse her babe from faring ill
  • * 2007 , Stephen R. Donaldson, Fatal Revenant , ISBN 978-0-399-15446-1 Page 182
    • "...When Lord Berek speaks with you and your companions alone, as he must, be chary in your replies."
  • Sparing; not lavish; not disposed to give freely.
  • *
  • *
  • *

    • quixotic

    English

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Possessing or acting with the desire to do noble and romantic deeds, without thought of realism and practicality; exceedingly idealistic.
  • Impulsive.
  • Like ; romantic to extravagance; absurdly chivalric; apt to be deluded.

    • Usage notes

    Although the term is derived from the name of the character Don Quixote, the letters qu and x are both read as is usual for English spelling ().

    Derived terms

    * quixotically