epithet

[ep-uh-thet]

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR epithet ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

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.

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.”

a word, phrase, or expression used invectively as a term of abuse or contempt, to express hostility, etc.

Origin of epithet

1570–80; < Latin epitheton epithet, adjective < Greek epítheton epithet, something added, equivalent to epi- epi- + the- (variant stem of tithénai to put) + -ton neuter verbid suffix

Related formsep·i·thet·ic, ep·i·thet·i·cal, adjective

Can be confusedepigram epigraph epitaph epithet

Synonyms for epithet

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR epithet ON THESAURUS.COM

1, 2. nickname, sobriquet, designation, appellation. 3. curse, insult, abuse, expletive, obscenity.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for epithet

appellation, name, designation, title, tag, sobriquet, description

Examples from the Web for epithet

Contemporary Examples of epithet

When they get on the road, they find their place of birth is now an epithet.
Latinos Encounter a New ‘Grapes of Wrath’ Situation in California
Nicolaus Mills
July 21, 2014
It is very common for conservatives to use “latte-sipping” as an epithet.
The Starbucks Shutdown Petition Is Baloney
Daniel Gross
October 11, 2013
Finally the epithet of "deathless" gets some explanation, stemming from Golovan's fearless ministrations during a plague.
The Forgotten Russian: The Genius of Nikolai Leskov
Benjamin Lytal
April 10, 2013
Michael Clarke Duncan did not like the epithet “gentle giant.”
‘Bones’ Creator Hart Hanson on Working with Michael Clarke Duncan
Hart Hanson
September 4, 2012
Who knows, because he waves away the entire discussion with the epithet “grotesque.”
A Response to Jonathan Rosen
Peter Beinart
April 17, 2012

Historical Examples of epithet

But such an epithet will not long apply to our favourite town.
The Roof of France
Matilda Betham-Edwards
As we go swiftly on we realize the appropriateness of the epithet ever applied to the Rhne.
The Roof of France
Matilda Betham-Edwards
Alderling repeated in a tone of amaze at the inadequacy of my epithet.
Questionable Shapes
William Dean Howells
The epithet "hugged in," which Hetty had used, was the very phrase to best convey it.
Hetty's Strange History
Anonymous
These persons she stigmatizes with the epithet of tideless-blooded.
Tales And Novels, Volume 8 (of 10)
Maria Edgeworth

British Dictionary definitions for epithet

epithet

noun

a descriptive word or phrase added to or substituted for a person's name"Lackland" is an epithet for King John

Derived Formsepithetic or epithetical, adjective

Word Origin for epithet

C16: from Latin epitheton, from Greek, from epitithenai to add, from tithenai to put

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for epithet

1570s, "descriptive name for a person or thing," from Middle French épithète or directly from Latin epitheton, from Greek epitheton "something added," adjective often used as noun, from neuter of epithetos "attributed, added," from epitithenai "to add on," from epi "in addition" (see epi-) + tithenai "to put" (see factitious).