| The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. 2002. |
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| Amazons |
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| In classical mythology, a nation of warrior women. The Amazons burned or cut off one of their breasts so that they could use a bow and arrow more efficiently in war. | 1 |
| ‡ Figuratively, an “Amazon” is a large, strong, aggressive woman. | 2 |
| ‡ The Amazon River of South America was so named because tribes of women warriors were believed to live along its banks. | 3 |
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| | | The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition. Edited by E.D. Hirsch, Jr., Joseph F. Kett, and James Trefil. Copyright © 2002 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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