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Literature: Hermes and the Divine Cattle (Tales of Greek Mythology)

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  1. locate
    determine the place of by searching or examining
    She lived in Arcadia, her home being inside a cave that was located on Mount Cyllene.
  2. nymph
    a minor nature goddess depicted as a beautiful maiden
    As the rest of the world slept, the lovely young nymph received regular nocturnal visits by the god Zeus.
  3. receive
    get something; come into possession of
    As the rest of the world slept, the lovely young nymph received regular nocturnal visits by the god Zeus.
  4. nocturnal
    belonging to or active during the night
    As the rest of the world slept, the lovely young nymph received regular nocturnal visits by the god Zeus.
  5. dawn
    the first light of day
    Though the boy was born at the break of dawn, he did not remain a baby for long.
  6. incredible
    amazing; extraordinarily good or great
    He grew with incredible speed, and by noon the child, who was feeling a bit bored wandered outside the cave in search of adventure.
  7. speed
    a rate at which something happens
    He grew with incredible speed, and by noon the child, who was feeling a bit bored wandered outside the cave in search of adventure.
  8. bored
    uninterested because of frequent exposure or indulgence
    He grew with incredible speed, and by noon the child, who was feeling a bit bored wandered outside the cave in search of adventure.
  9. wander
    move or cause to move in a sinuous or circular course
    He grew with incredible speed, and by noon the child, who was feeling a bit bored wandered outside the cave in search of adventure.
  10. search
    look or seek
    He grew with incredible speed, and by noon the child, who was feeling a bit bored wandered outside the cave in search of adventure.
  11. adventure
    a wild and exciting undertaking
    He grew with incredible speed, and by noon the child, who was feeling a bit bored wandered outside the cave in search of adventure.
  12. sacred
    made, declared, or believed to be holy
    Finding the sacred cows to be very fine, Hermes decided he would steal them away for himself.
  13. cow
    female of domestic cattle
    Finding the sacred cows to be very fine, Hermes decided he would steal them away for himself.
  14. disguise
    any attire that conceals the wearer's identity
    In order to disguise their tracks, the clever boy fashioned a number of shoes from the bark of an oak tree and tied them to the cow's feet.
  15. track
    a line or route along which something travels or moves
    In order to disguise their tracks, the clever boy fashioned a number of shoes from the bark of an oak tree and tied them to the cow's feet.
  16. clever
    mentally quick and resourceful
    In order to disguise their tracks, the clever boy fashioned a number of shoes from the bark of an oak tree and tied them to the cow's feet.
  17. fashion
    the latest and most admired style in clothes or behavior
    In order to disguise their tracks, the clever boy fashioned a number of shoes from the bark of an oak tree and tied them to the cow's feet.
  18. acquired
    gotten through environmental forces
    The little trickster then led his newly acquired herd down the road, but it was not long before Apollo became aware of the theft.
  19. herd
    a group of cattle or sheep or other domestic mammals
    The little trickster then led his newly acquired herd down the road, but it was not long before Apollo became aware of the theft.
  20. aware
    having or showing knowledge or understanding or realization
    The little trickster then led his newly acquired herd down the road, but it was not long before Apollo became aware of the theft.
  21. theft
    the act of taking something from someone unlawfully
    The little trickster then led his newly acquired herd down the road, but it was not long before Apollo became aware of the theft.
  22. prove
    establish the validity of something
    Hermes' disguise proved to be truly deceptive, for it left not even the smallest clue for the frantic sun god to find.
  23. deceptive
    deliberately designed to mislead
    Hermes' disguise proved to be truly deceptive, for it left not even the smallest clue for the frantic sun god to find.
  24. clue
    evidence that helps to solve a problem
    Hermes' disguise proved to be truly deceptive, for it left not even the smallest clue for the frantic sun god to find.
  25. frantic
    marked by uncontrolled excitement or emotion
    Hermes' disguise proved to be truly deceptive, for it left not even the smallest clue for the frantic sun god to find.
  26. resort
    have recourse to
    Apollo searched east and west with no luck, until he finally resorted to offering a reward to anyone who could supply information or return the missing cattle back to him.
  27. offering
    something put forward for acceptance
    Apollo searched east and west with no luck, until he finally resorted to offering a reward to anyone who could supply information or return the missing cattle back to him.
  28. supply
    circulate or distribute or equip with
    Apollo searched east and west with no luck, until he finally resorted to offering a reward to anyone who could supply information or return the missing cattle back to him.
  29. satyr
    one of a class of woodland deities
    Two Satyrs Eagar to receive the reward, Silenus and his band of greedy satyrs anxiously searched for the missing cattle.
  30. greedy
    immoderately desirous of acquiring something
    Two Satyrs Eagar to receive the reward, Silenus and his band of greedy satyrs anxiously searched for the missing cattle.
  31. success
    an event that accomplishes its intended purpose
    Having little success, the group decided it would be best to split up and travel in different directions.
  32. split
    separate into parts or portions
    Having little success, the group decided it would be best to split up and travel in different directions.
  33. direction
    a line leading to a place or point
    Having little success, the group decided it would be best to split up and travel in different directions.
  34. determination
    the act of finding out the properties of something
    With much determination, each team pushed forward until they were all greeted with the sounds of muffled music.
  35. muffle
    deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping
    With much determination, each team pushed forward until they were all greeted with the sounds of muffled music.
  36. investigate
    conduct an inquiry of
    Wanting to investigate the mysterious tones, the party of satyrs slowly approached a cave and listened as the joyful tune flowed brightly from its opening.
  37. mysterious
    beyond ordinary understanding
    Wanting to investigate the mysterious tones, the party of satyrs slowly approached a cave and listened as the joyful tune flowed brightly from its opening.
  38. tone
    the distinctive property of a complex sound
    Wanting to investigate the mysterious tones, the party of satyrs slowly approached a cave and listened as the joyful tune flowed brightly from its opening.
  39. approach
    move towards
    Wanting to investigate the mysterious tones, the party of satyrs slowly approached a cave and listened as the joyful tune flowed brightly from its opening.
  40. instrument
    the means whereby some act is accomplished
    The boy had made a musical instrument by stringing a tortise shell with some cow-gut and was at that very minute using it to lull his mother to sleep.
  41. lull
    make calm or still
    The boy had made a musical instrument by stringing a tortise shell with some cow-gut and was at that very minute using it to lull his mother to sleep.
  42. aroused
    stimulated to action
    Seeing two cow hides hanging outside the cave aroused suspicion among the satyrs.
  43. suspicion
    an impression that something might be the case
    Seeing two cow hides hanging outside the cave aroused suspicion among the satyrs.
  44. origin
    the place where something begins
    They began to question the nurse as to the origin of the cow-gut, and before long a heated argument started to take place between all involved.
  45. argument
    a dispute where there is strong disagreement
    They began to question the nurse as to the origin of the cow-gut, and before long a heated argument started to take place between all involved.
  46. involved
    connected by participation or association or use
    They began to question the nurse as to the origin of the cow-gut, and before long a heated argument started to take place between all involved.
  47. divination
    the art or gift of prophecy by supernatural means
    At this time Apollo, who by divination had figured out the identity of the thief, arrived at the cave.
  48. figure
    alternate name for the body of a human being
    At this time Apollo, who by divination had figured out the identity of the thief, arrived at the cave.
  49. identity
    the characteristics by which a thing or person is known
    At this time Apollo, who by divination had figured out the identity of the thief, arrived at the cave.
  50. arrive
    reach a destination
    At this time Apollo, who by divination had figured out the identity of the thief, arrived at the cave.
  51. wake
    stop sleeping
    He woke up Maia and demanded she have her son restore his missing herds.
  52. demand
    request urgently and forcefully
    He woke up Maia and demanded she have her son restore his missing herds.
  53. restore
    bring back into original existence, function, or position
    He woke up Maia and demanded she have her son restore his missing herds.
  54. absurd
    inconsistent with reason or logic or common sense
    Of course Maia thought this to be absurd, as Hermes was lying innocently in his bed pretending to be asleep.
  55. pretend
    make believe with the intent to deceive
    Of course Maia thought this to be absurd, as Hermes was lying innocently in his bed pretending to be asleep.
  56. evidence
    knowledge on which to base belief
    OlympusUsing the hides as evidence, Apollo pleaded his case before a council of Olympians.
  57. plead
    appeal or request earnestly
    OlympusUsing the hides as evidence, Apollo pleaded his case before a council of Olympians.
  58. council
    a body serving in an administrative capacity
    OlympusUsing the hides as evidence, Apollo pleaded his case before a council of Olympians.
  59. refuse
    show unwillingness towards
    Zeus refused to believe his young son was the culprit, but Phoebus pressed on until young Hermes finally confessed his guilt.
  60. culprit
    someone or something responsible for harm or wrongdoing
    Zeus refused to believe his young son was the culprit, but Phoebus pressed on until young Hermes finally confessed his guilt.
  61. confess
    admit to a wrongdoing
    Zeus refused to believe his young son was the culprit, but Phoebus pressed on until young Hermes finally confessed his guilt.
  62. guilt
    the state of having committed an offense
    Zeus refused to believe his young son was the culprit, but Phoebus pressed on until young Hermes finally confessed his guilt.
  63. promise
    a verbal commitment agreeing to do something in the future
    The lad promised to return all of the herd to Apollo except for two.
  64. declare
    state emphatically and authoritatively
    The youth declared that these cows had been offered in sacrifice to the twelve gods and goddesses.
  65. sacrifice
    the act of killing in order to appease a deity
    The youth declared that these cows had been offered in sacrifice to the twelve gods and goddesses.
  66. cunning
    showing inventiveness and skill
    The cunning little boy played a beautiful tune praising Apollo for his intelligence and nobility, and before the ballad was over the sun god granted him forgiveness.
  67. praise
    an expression of approval and commendation
    The cunning little boy played a beautiful tune praising Apollo for his intelligence and nobility, and before the ballad was over the sun god granted him forgiveness.
  68. intelligence
    the ability to comprehend
    The cunning little boy played a beautiful tune praising Apollo for his intelligence and nobility, and before the ballad was over the sun god granted him forgiveness.
  69. nobility
    a privileged class holding hereditary titles
    The cunning little boy played a beautiful tune praising Apollo for his intelligence and nobility, and before the ballad was over the sun god granted him forgiveness.
  70. ballad
    a narrative poem of popular origin
    The cunning little boy played a beautiful tune praising Apollo for his intelligence and nobility, and before the ballad was over the sun god granted him forgiveness.
  71. grant
    let have
    The cunning little boy played a beautiful tune praising Apollo for his intelligence and nobility, and before the ballad was over the sun god granted him forgiveness.
  72. forgiveness
    the act of excusing a mistake or offense
    The cunning little boy played a beautiful tune praising Apollo for his intelligence and nobility, and before the ballad was over the sun god granted him forgiveness.
  73. remaining
    not used up
    Apollo and MusesApollo made a deal with Hermes, telling the boy he could keep the remaining cows if he would give to him in their place the newly fashioned lyre.
  74. graze
    feed as in a meadow or pasture
    Hermes agreed and happily placed his new herd in a field to graze.
  75. construct
    make by combining materials and parts
    With the cows safely out of the way, Hermes cut down some reeds and carefully constructed a shepherd's pipe.
  76. shepherd
    someone who keeps sheep together in a flock
    With the cows safely out of the way, Hermes cut down some reeds and carefully constructed a shepherd's pipe.
  77. invention
    the act of making something new
    He offered to give young Hermes his golden staff in exchange for the new invention, but Hermes would not agree.
  78. augury
    an event indicating important things to come
    Feeling that his pipe was worth more than that, Hermes would only accept Apollo's offer if the god promised to teach him the art of augury.
  79. future
    the time yet to come
    MercuryApollo agreed and sent him to Parnassus where he was taught by the Thriae to foretell the future by dropping pebbles into a basin of water.
  80. basin
    a bowl-shaped vessel used for holding food or liquids
    MercuryApollo agreed and sent him to Parnassus where he was taught by the Thriae to foretell the future by dropping pebbles into a basin of water.
  81. invent
    come up with after a mental effort
    From his lessons on Mount Parnassus, Hermes went on to invent the game of knucklebones and also the art of divining by them.
  82. include
    have as a part; be made up out of
    Some of the god's other inventions include astronomy, the musical scale, the art of boxing and gymnastics and the cultivation of the olive tree.
  83. astronomy
    the branch of physics that studies celestial bodies
    Some of the god's other inventions include astronomy, the musical scale, the art of boxing and gymnastics and the cultivation of the olive tree.
  84. scale
    an ordered reference standard
    Some of the god's other inventions include astronomy, the musical scale, the art of boxing and gymnastics and the cultivation of the olive tree.
  85. cultivation
    production of food by preparing the land to grow crops
    Some of the god's other inventions include astronomy, the musical scale, the art of boxing and gymnastics and the cultivation of the olive tree.
  86. fate
    the ultimate agency predetermining the course of events
    He also helped the Fates invent the alphabet and was the patron god of all important financial transactions.
  87. patron
    someone who supports or champions something
    He also helped the Fates invent the alphabet and was the patron god of all important financial transactions.
  88. financial
    involving fiscal matters
    He also helped the Fates invent the alphabet and was the patron god of all important financial transactions.
  89. transaction
    conducting business within or between groups
    He also helped the Fates invent the alphabet and was the patron god of all important financial transactions.
  90. appoint
    assign a duty, responsibility, or obligation to
    When Hermes grew to be a man, Zeus appointed him to be the messenger of the gods.
  91. throughout
    from first to last
    He was a guide to men throughout their lives and also at their deaths.
  92. accompany
    go or travel along with
    He often accompanied souls on their journey to hades, and on rare occassions was allowed to lead them back to the upperworld.
  93. journey
    the act of traveling from one place to another
    He often accompanied souls on their journey to hades, and on rare occassions was allowed to lead them back to the upperworld.
  94. allow
    make it possible for something to happen
    He often accompanied souls on their journey to hades, and on rare occassions was allowed to lead them back to the upperworld.
Created on Fri Dec 14 23:10:33 EST 2012 (updated Sun Jan 26 13:16:16 EST 2014)

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