ENGLISH
REFERENCE

epithet

n.
C1 Advanced US //ˈɛpəˌθɛt// UK //ˈɛpɪθɪt// ep·i·thet

n. a word or phrase used to describe someone or something in a way that shows a strong feeling, like respect or dislike. In stories about gods and heroes, it is a special name that highlights a specific quality.

n. a word or phrase used to describe a person or thing in a way that expresses a strong feeling or attitude. In a literary or mythological context, it refers to a descriptive title or name that highlights a particular attribute of a deity or hero.


SIMPLE

The hero was known by the epithet 'the Brave'.

CONTEXTUAL

In many ancient texts, the gods are referred to by specific epithets that emphasize their unique powers or temperaments.

COMPLEX

The poet uses the epithet 'the silver-tongued' to describe the speaker, suggesting both his eloquence and his potential for manipulation.

Synonyms
Origin

From Middle French épithète, from Latin epithetum, epitheton, from Ancient Greek ἐπίθετον (epítheton, “epithet, adjective”), the neuter of ἐπίθετος (epíthetos, “additional”), from ἐπιτίθημι (epitíthēmi, “to add on”), from ἐπι- (epi-, “in addition”) + τίθημι (títhēmi, “to put”) (suf. possibly related to title in the sense of "ascribed appellation") (from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to put, to do”)). Doublet of epitheton.

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