THE FIRST WORD

Ophelian

PRONUNCIATION:

(o-FEE-lee-uhn) 

MEANING:

adjective: Displaying madness, suicidal tendencies, and similar characteristics.

ETYMOLOGY:

After Ophelia, a character in Shakespeare's Hamlet, who is driven to insanity and kills herself. Earliest documented use: 1903.

USAGE:

"She had an Ophelian streak of potential craziness that he had, since day one, deemed wiser to steer clear of."
Jean-Christophe Valtat; Aurorarama; Melville House; 2010.