ENGLISH
REFERENCE

winged word

idiom
Meaning

A word or statement which is very apt for an occasion, or memorable.


Origin

disputed origin

Calque of Ancient Greek ἔπεα πτερόεντα (épea pteróenta), often used by Homer (said to have been born c. 750 B.C.E.), to whom the Iliad and Odyssey are attributed: from ἔπεᾰ (épeă) (plural of ἔπος (épos, “something spoken: song, speech, story”)) + πτερόεντα (pteróenta) (plural of πτερόεις (pteróeis, “feathered; winged”), from πτερόν (pterón, “feather; wing”) + -εις (-eis, suffix forming adjectives with the sense of being full of, tending to, or thoroughly possessing a quality)).

Examples
SIMPLE

She chose a winged word that perfectly described the situation.

CONTEXTUAL

During his retirement speech, he shared a winged word that captured the essence of his long career.

COMPLEX

The poet was famous for his ability to craft a winged word, leaving his audience deeply moved by the precision and beauty of his language.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    bad word

    A vulgar word.

  2. 02

    breathe a word

    To divulge even part of a secret (usually used with a negative).

  3. 03

    dicky

    [Cockney slang]word

  4. 04

    dirty word

    The name of a topic that a person prefers not to hear or discuss.

  5. 05

    from the word go

    From the very beginning; from the outset; immediately upon starting.

  6. 06

    get the word out

    To make some information more widely known.

  7. 07

    hang on every word

    To be completely attentive to what another person is saying.

  8. 08

    have a quiet word

    To speak to someone in private.

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