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epithet's - 2 dictionary results
ep⋅i⋅thet
[ep-uh-thet] 
–noun
| 1. | any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed quality: “Richard the Lion-Hearted” is an epithet of Richard I. |
| 2. | a characterizing word or phrase firmly associated with a person or thing and often used in place of an actual name, title, or the like, as “man's best friend” for “dog.” |
| 3. | a word, phrase, or expression used invectively as a term of abuse or contempt, to express hostility, etc. |
Origin:
1570–80; < L epitheton epithet, adjective < Gk epítheton epithet, something added, equiv. to epi- epi- + the- (var. s. of tithénai to put) + -ton neut. verbid suffix
1570–80; < L epitheton epithet, adjective < Gk epítheton epithet, something added, equiv. to epi- epi- + the- (var. s. of tithénai to put) + -ton neut. verbid suffix
Related forms:
ep⋅i⋅thet⋅ic, ep⋅i⋅thet⋅i⋅cal, adjective
Synonyms:
1, 2. nickname, sobriquet, designation, appellation. 3. curse, insult, abuse, expletive, obscenity.
1, 2. nickname, sobriquet, designation, appellation. 3. curse, insult, abuse, expletive, obscenity.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source
|
Link To epithet's
| ep·i·thet (ěp'ə-thět') n.
[Latin epitheton, from Greek, neuter of epithetos, added, attributed, from epitithenai, epithe-, to add to : epi-, epi- + tithenai, to place; see dhē- in Indo-European roots.] ep'i·thet'ic, ep'i·thet'i·cal adj. Usage Note: Strictly speaking, an epithet need not be derogatory, but the term is commonly used as a simple synonym for term of abuse or slur, as in There is no place for racial epithets in a police officer's vocabulary. This usage is accepted by 80 percent of the Usage Panel. |
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Copyright © 2009, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.
