noun

epithet

Epithet (noun) means a term used to characterize a person or thing.

noun

A term used to characterize a person or thing.

A term used as a qualifier of the name of a deity in order to designate said deity in a particular aspect or role.

A term used as a descriptive substitute for the name or title of a person.

One of many formulaic words or phrases used in the Iliad and Odyssey to characterize a person, a group of people, or a thing.

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Etymology

From Middle French épithète, from Latin epithetum, epitheton, from Ancient Greek ἐπίθετον (epítheton, “epithet, adjective”), the neuter of ἐπίθετος (epíthetos, “additional”), from ἐπιτίθημι (epitíthēmi, “to add on”), from ἐπι- (epi-, “in addition”) + τίθημι (títhēmi, “to put”) (suf. possibly related to title in the sense of "ascribed appellation") (from Proto-Indo-European *dʰeh₁- (“to put, to do”)). Doublet of epitheton.

Frequently asked questions

What is the meaning of epithet?

"epithet" (noun) means a term used to characterize a person or thing.

What are the different meanings of epithet?

"epithet" has 3 main meanings: 1. A term used to characterize a person or thing; 2. A term used as a qualifier of the name of a deity in order to designate said deity in a particular aspect or role; 3. A term used as a descriptive substitute for the name or title of a person.