Advertisement

Advertisement

View synonyms for eponym

eponym

[ ep-uh-nim ]

noun

  1. a person, real or imaginary, from whom a place or thing takes or is said to take its name:

    Brut, the supposed grandson of Aeneas, is the eponym of the Britons.

  2. a word based on or derived from a person's name.
  3. any ancient official whose name was used to designate his year of office.


eponym

/ ˈɛpəˌnɪm /

noun

  1. a name, esp a place name, derived from the name of a real or mythical person, as for example Constantinople from Constantine I
  2. the name of the person from which such a name is derived

    in the Middle Ages, "Brutus" was thought to be the eponym of "Britain"



Discover More

Derived Forms

  • ˌepoˈnymic, adjective

Discover More

Other Words From

  • ep·o·nym·ic [ep-, uh, -, nim, -ik], adjective

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of eponym1

First recorded in 1840–50; back formation from eponymous

Discover More

Word History and Origins

Origin of eponym1

C19: from Greek epōnumos giving a significant name

Discover More

Example Sentences

Scyld, on the other hand, is in the first place probably a mere eponym of the power of the Scylding kings of Denmark.

Xanthus, however, puts Torrhebus in the place of Tyrsenus, and makes him the eponym of a district in Lydia.

As for this eponym thing, why Saint Augustine called attention to it fifteen hundred years ago.

This, however, as we learn from the Eponym Canon, was not all.

The case is different with Herakles, the patron, eponym, and ancestor of Dorian Hellas.

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement

Advertisement


eponychiumeponymous