Main Entry:

ep·i·thet

Pronunciation:

\ˈe-pə-ˌthet also -thət\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Latin epitheton, from Greek, from neuter of epithetos added, from epitithenai to put on, add, from epi- + tithenai to put — more at do

Date:

1579

1 a: a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing b: a disparaging or abusive word or phrase c: the part of a taxonomic name identifying a subordinate unit within a genus2obsolete : expression

— ep·i·thet·ic \ˌe-pə-ˈthe-tik\ or ep·i·thet·i·cal \-ti-kəl\ adjective