epithet — an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned
Part of speech: NOUN
Definition: an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned
Pronunciation (IPA): /ˈepɪθet/
Example Sentences
- My brother's epithet 'human garbage disposal' comes from his ability to finish everyone's leftovers.
- The teacher warned students not to use epithets when they got frustrated during the exam.
- Shakespeare's 'Bard of Avon' is probably the most famous literary epithet in English.
epithet
NOUN[/ˈepɪθet/]
an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned

The knight earned the epithet 'Lionheart' after his fearless charge in battle.

Epi's theft of descriptive labels - stealing epithets for every trait!

The cadet learns his epithet through the alphabet!
Got the picture? Now let's practice.
🎤Pronunciation
🌳Etymology
Origin
From Greek 'epithet' (epitheton), derived from 'epi' (upon) and 'tithenai' (to place or put). The word originally referred to something added or attributed to a name or person.
Breakdown
epi- (upon/added) + tithenai (to place/put) + -et (noun suffix) = epithet (a descriptive term placed upon someone or something)
🎵Rhyme
🔗Collocations
📝Examples
“My brother's epithet 'human garbage disposal' comes from his ability to finish everyone's leftovers.”
“The teacher warned students not to use epithets when they got frustrated during the exam.”
“Shakespeare's 'Bard of Avon' is probably the most famous literary epithet in English.”
📚Related Words
Synonyms
Antonyms
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