epithet

ep·i·thet

noun \ˈe-pə-ˌthet also -thət\

Definition of EPITHET

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 genus

2

obsolete : expression

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

Examples of EPITHET

1. His charitable works have earned him the epithet “Mr. Philanthropy.”
2. Many were offended by her use of racial epithets.
3. a group of angry people hurling epithets at one another

Origin of EPITHET

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

First Known Use: 1579

Related to EPITHET

Synonyms

alias, byname, cognomen, nickname, handle, moniker (also monicker), sobriquet (also soubriquet), surname

Related Words

appellation, denomination, denotation, designation, label, tag, title; anonym, nom de guerre, nom de plume, pen name, pseudonym

Near Antonyms

accolade, commendation, compliment; acclaim, applause, praise; adulation, flattery

Rhymes with EPITHET

aiguillette, alphabet, anisette, avocet, banneret, basinet, bassinet, bayonet, bobbinet, bouncing bet, briolette, burgonet, calumet, canzonet, castanet, cellarette, chemisette, cigarette, clarinet, Cook Inlet, coronet, corselet, dragonet, dresser set, electret, en brochette, epaulet, Ethernet, etiquette, falconet, farmerette, featurette, flageolet, flannelette, great egret, guillemet, heavyset, jaconet, Joliet, Juliet, kitchenette, landaulet, lanneret, launderette, leatherette, luncheonette, maisonette, majorette, marmoset, marquisette, martinet, mignonette, minaret, minuet, miquelet, netiquette, novelette, oubliette, parapet, paupiette, photoset, pirouette, plasma jet, quodlibet, rondelet, safety net, satinet, scilicet, sermonette, serviette, silhouette, sobriquet, solleret, somerset, Somerset, soviet, space cadet, spinneret, statuette, stockinette, suffragette, superjet, swimmeret, taboret, teacher's pet, thermoset, towelette, trebuchet, tricolette, triple threat, underlet, usherette, vinaigrette, wagonette, web-offset

ep·i·thet

noun \ˈep-ə-ˌthet also -thət\   (Medical Dictionary)

Medical Definition of EPITHET

: the part of a scientific name identifying the species, variety, or other subunit within a genus—see specific epithet