quixotic

adj

1. Resembling or characteristic of the Spanish chivalric hero Don Quixote; possessed with or resulting from the desire to do noble and romantic deeds, without thought of realism and practicality.

   “Olivier, as you know, was quixotic, and would not permit a secret service and spies.”

   “The message is not subliminal. […] Characters aren’t just quixotic, they cite Cervantes to one another.”

   “The war triggered in [Miguel de] Unamuno the realization that, in hopeless times, quixotic lunacy could save people from the paralysis that often accompanies defeatism.”

   “In the digital age, building a new library filled with old-fashioned printed books seems idealistic, almost quixotic.”

2. Overly optimistic and moralistic.
3. Exceedingly idealistic.

   “Call it a brain freeze, another 'Aleppo moment,' or a mere campaign stumble, but Gary Johnson has stumbled again in his quixotic presidential campaign.”

4. (alt-of)Alternative letter-case form of quixotic.

   “Don Quixote undertook to redress the bodily wrongs of the world, but the redressment of mental vagaries would be an enterprise more than Quixotic.”

   “But I never met with very warm support in carrying on this object, but was often exposed to some sarcastical insinuations or sardonic smiles from those who thought the attempt to ameliorate the condition of the Gipsies, only Quixotic.”

   “The Queen-mother had a right to daily rations from the palace for her household. She complained once that her rations were not sent, whereupon she was told with Quixotic humour, that her servants might come and take their dues daily; for the King’s cupboards were all open—and all empty.”

   “That the whole conception is instinct with Quixotic humour need excite no surprise, when we consider that the mind which planned it was engaged at the very time in calling into being that unique character, the Governor of Barataria!”

noun

1. (rare)A quixotic person or sentiment.

   “The cultural quixotics attribute the change to inscrutable "cultural factors," which is tantamount to abandoning altogether the search for explanation.”