Words from Greek and Roman gods and goddesses

• Nemesis : a deity in Greek mythology, the goddess of retribution or revenge.
• Proteus : a deity in Greek mythology who was capable of changing shape at will – this leads to the adjective ‘protean’with the general meaning of "versatile"
• Zephyr : a gentle wind, after the Greek god of the West wind, also Zephyr.
• Flora : Plants as a group, flowers, after the Roman goddess of flowers, also Flora.
• Palladium : (apart from the element of that name) A sacred object believed to have the power to preserve a city or state – from the name of the Greek goddess Pallas Athena, who was believed to watch over the safety of places.
• Apollonian : relating to the Greek god Apollo or his cult – the word is used to mean characterized by clarity, harmony,and restraint; serenely high-minded; noble.
• Junoesque : of stately bearing and regal beauty – like the Roman goddess Juno.
• Mercurial : Quick and changeable in temperament; volatile; having the characteristics of eloquence, shrewdness,swiftness, and thievishness attributed to the Greek god Mercury