ozymandian

1) A work of great hubris, generally fleeting and devoid of meaning, especially a tremendous structure or public work.

2) Possessing the quality of a warning against such hubris, esp. when the warning is presented ironically.

From the poem Ozymandias by Percy Shelley.

ozymandianly
ozymandianess

1) The ozymandian islands of Dubai will surely fascinate future ethnographers of our wanton and insolent age.

2) Michaelangelo's David was ozymandianly sold on Craig's List, adumbrating the end of the seemingly invulnerable Christie's/Sotheby's nexus.

by John W. Roberts January 2, 2009