Adj. masc. An act which benefits society eminent favouring its prosperity. Alludes to Greek mythology, the Supreme God Zeus deprived of fire «man», by a deception of the titan Prometheus, who aware of the serious consequences of his daring ascended to Mount Olympus and stole fire for return to humanity. So it obviously comes from Prometheus and the suffix «ico»: relative a. synonyms: altruistic, benemérito, benevolent, charitable, philanthropist, generous, magnanimous, quixotic. Antonyms: listless, not, selfish, indifferent, indolent, disregard, negligence.