epithet

[ 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.

   Synonyms: appellation, designation, sobriquet, nickname

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.”

   Synonyms: appellation, designation, sobriquet, nickname

3. 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.

   Synonyms: obscenity, expletive, abuse, insult, curse

4. Botany, Zoology. specific epithet ( def ).

epithet

/ ˈɛpɪˌθɛt /

noun

1. a descriptive word or phrase added to or substituted for a person's name

   "Lackland" is an epithet for King John

Derived Forms

• ˌepiˈthetic, adjective

Other Words From

• epi·thetic epi·theti·cal adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epithet¹

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; epi-

Word History and Origins

Origin of epithet¹

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

Example Sentences

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.

From The Daily Beast

Centuries of rudimentary medicine and social stigma were recalled in that one harsh epithet alone.

From Washington Post

Like any woman, I’d come to expect explicit photos, unwanted advances, and, when I dared decline, epithets.

From 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.

From 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.

From Science News

It was Tarshis who gave the comedian the memorable epithet “Jell-O Man.”

From The Daily Beast

When they get on the road, they find their place of birth is now an epithet.

From The Daily Beast

For one, Lewis has never said Tea Party members have hurled the racial epithet at him.

From The Daily Beast

It is very common for conservatives to use “latte-sipping” as an epithet.

From The Daily Beast

Finally the epithet of "deathless" gets some explanation, stemming from Golovan's fearless ministrations during a plague.

From The Daily Beast

Many of the first connoisseurs, now hesitate whether to apply the epithet greatest to Guarnerius or to Stradiuarius.

From Project Gutenberg

When she was unaware of the name she was accustomed to address all males by the epithet "man."

From Project Gutenberg

Now it strikes me that there is quite as much tautology in "unsane lunes" as in the double epithet, "dangerous, unsafe."

From Project Gutenberg

His character, however, by no means justified the epithet of holy and pious emperor bestowed by Dionysius of Alexandria.

From Project Gutenberg

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.

From Project Gutenberg