In the mythology, the gods were believed to be ____, never dying or aging.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
According to ancient Greek legends, the gods were ____ and would live forever on Mount Olympus.
Word Origin & History
From Latin immortālis, from prefix im- (“not”) (from in-) + mortālis (“mortal”) (from mors (“death”), combining form mort- + adjectival suffix -alis), equivalent to im- + mortal. Displaced native undeadly, from Old English undēadlīċ.
The term referring to the Persian soldiers was a Calque of Ancient Greek ἀθάνατος (athánatos). One suggestion claimed that "Immortals" were named by the ancient Greeks because wounded soldiers were quickly replaced, while another claimed that it was because Greek informants confused Old Persian *anauša- (“immortal, without death”) with Old Persian *anūšiya- (“companion, royal bodyguard”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"I have immortal longings in me."
— c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act V, scene ii]:
"immortal and mercyless butchery"
— 1603, John Hayward, The Right of Succession Asserted:
"The brutal insouciance of her fellow immortals — whether her sharp-tongued mother, Perse; or chilly Hermes; or righteous Athena enraged — proves increasingly alien to this thoughtful and compassionate woman who learns to love unselfishly."
— 2018 May 28, Claire Messud, “Turning Circe Into a Good Witch”, in The New York Times:
"Tazmania/Middle Sphere is in need of builders, admin, and immortals. […] Immortals do not need experiance^([sic])."
— 1999, Corey Crawford, “RECRUITING: [circle] Tazmania/Middle Sphere: Admin, Builders, Immortals”, in rec.games.mud.announce (Usenet):