epithet

[ ep-uh-thet ]

/ ˈɛp əˌθɛt /

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See synonyms for: epithet / epithetical 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.: He demeans his female employees by addressing them with sexist epithets.

Botany, Zoology. specific epithet.

OTHER WORDS FOR epithet

1, 2 nickname, sobriquet, designation, appellation.

3 curse, insult, abuse, expletive, obscenity.

See synonyms for epithet on Thesaurus.com

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Origin of epithet

First recorded in 1570–80; from Latin epitheton “adjective; word used attributively,” from Greek epítheton “something added, adjective, epithet,” derivative of epitithénai “to place upon, put upon,” equivalent to epi- + the- (variant stem of tithénai “to put, place”) + -ton neuter participle suffix; see epi-

OTHER WORDS FROM epithet

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH epithet

epigram, epigraph, epitaph, epithet

Words nearby epithet

epithelioma cuniculatum, epitheliomatous, epitheliomuscular, epithelium, epithelization, epithet, epitome, epitomist, epitomize, epitope, epitrachelion

How to use epithet in a sentence

Call him what you want—and many use unprintable epithets—he looks like the Pied Piper as reporters and other Senators follow in his wake as he goes to cast another vote that will enrage someone.
Here’s Why Schumer’s Mostly OK With Manchin Blocking His Agenda|Margaret Carlson|June 11, 2021|The Daily Beast
Centuries of rudimentary medicine and social stigma were recalled in that one harsh epithet alone.
In London, looking backward to move forward|Henry Wismayer|March 5, 2021|Washington Post
Like any woman, I’d come to expect explicit photos, unwanted advances, and, when I dared decline, epithets.
Such a pretty face|Aubrey Gordon|February 26, 2021|Vox
Viewers of color can feel safe watching the story without waiting for that moment when our breath is punched from our lungs because of an epithet, an othering action or plot point constructed on historical pain, pain that still runs deep.
How ‘Bridgerton’ flipped the script on ‘The Duke and I’|Vanessa Riley|January 12, 2021|Washington Post

In hopes of raising interest in these overlooked wonders, he chose the epithet quarantenae for a new species of microscopic Laboulbenia fungus described July 30 in MycoKeys.
How two new fungus species got named after the COVID-19 pandemic|Susan Milius|August 17, 2020|Science News
It was Tarshis who gave the comedian the memorable epithet “Jell-O Man.”
I Warned You About Bill Cosby in 2007|Mark Ebner|November 20, 2014|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
For one, Lewis has never said Tea Party members have hurled the racial epithet at him.
Democrats Have Maxed Out the Race Card|Ron Christie|December 17, 2013|DAILY BEAST
It is very common for conservatives to use “latte-sipping” as an epithet.
The Starbucks Shutdown Petition Is Baloney|Daniel Gross|October 11, 2013|DAILY BEAST
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|DAILY BEAST
Many of the first connoisseurs, now hesitate whether to apply the epithet greatest to Guarnerius or to Stradiuarius.
Violins and Violin Makers|Joseph Pearce
When she was unaware of the name she was accustomed to address all males by the epithet "man."
The Pit Town Coronet, Volume II (of 3)|Charles James Wills
Now it strikes me that there is quite as much tautology in "unsane lunes" as in the double epithet, "dangerous, unsafe."
Notes and Queries, Number 196, July 30, 1853|Various
His character, however, by no means justified the epithet of holy and pious emperor bestowed by Dionysius of Alexandria.
The Catacombs of Rome|William Henry Withrow
Indeed, they used the epithet son of a goat in the same way as the modern vulgar do an appellation which is much more literal.
A Philosophical Dictionary, Volume 1 (of 10)|Franois-Marie Arouet (AKA Voltaire)

British Dictionary definitions for epithet

epithet

/ (ˈɛpɪˌθɛt) /

noun

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

Derived forms of epithet

epithetic 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

epithet

OTHER WORDS FOR epithet

Origin of epithet

OTHER WORDS FROM epithet

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH epithet

Words nearby epithet

Words related to epithet

How to use epithet in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for epithet

Derived forms of epithet

Word Origin for epithet