epithet Meaning & Definition
What Does Epithet Mean?
Epithet is a noun that means A term used to characterize a person or thing. It can also mean A term used as a qualifier of the name of a deity in order to designate said deity in a particular aspect or role. As a verb, it means To term; to refer to as.
Epithet: Key Facts
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈɛp.ɪˌθɛt/ |
| Syllables | 3 |
| Synonyms | name |
| Plural | epithets |
| Verb forms | epithets, epitheting, epitheted |
Epithet Definition (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.
- An abusive or contemptuous word or phrase.
- A word in the scientific name of a taxon following the name of the genus or species. This applies only to formal names of plants, fungi and bacteria. In formal names of animals the corresponding term is the specific name.
Epithet as a Verb
- To term; to refer to as.
He was epitheted "the king of fools".
Synonyms of Epithet
Epithet synonyms and antonyms →Epithet in a Sentence
He was epitheted "the king of fools".
Word Forms & Grammar
epithet (plural epithets)
epithet (third-person singular simple present epithets, present participle epitheting, simple past and past participle epitheted)
Words That Rhyme With Epithet
Origin of Epithet
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.
Pronouncing Epithet
You say epithet as /ˈɛp.ɪˌθɛt/. It has 3 syllables, with the main stress on the first syllable (ɛp).
Frequently Asked Questions About Epithet
Is epithet a noun or a verb?
Epithet is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for epithet?
You can replace epithet with words such as name. See the full list of epithet synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of epithet?
The plural of epithet is epithets.
What is the past tense of epithet?
The past tense of epithet is epitheted. The present participle is epitheting.