epigone

noun ep·i·gone \ ˈe-pə-ˌgōn \

Definition of epigone

:follower, disciple; also :an inferior imitator

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epigonic

play \ˌe-pə-ˈgä-nik\ or epigonous play \i-ˈpi-gə-nəs, e-\ adjective

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epigonism

play \i-ˈpi-gə-ˌni-zəm, e-\ noun

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Examples of epigone in a Sentence

few of director Alfred Hitchcock's many epigones possess much of the master's wit or style

Recent Examples of epigone from the Web

Ms. Yamaguchi is an heir of Tamara de Lempicka, epigone of Art Deco figuration.

— roberta smith, New York Times, "Out-of-Town Galleries Arrive, Bearing Art," 13 July 2017
That became the conventional wisdom once their stateside epigones took up the cry.

— tom carson, New York Times, "A Filmmaker’s Journey," 1 June 2016

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epigone.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Did You Know?

English borrowed "epigone" from German in the 19th century. The Germans themselves had taken the word from the Latin epigonus, which means "successor." The Latin term followed the Greek epigonos, which was often used in plural to designate the sons of seven legendary Greek leaders who were defeated at Thebes. "Epigonos" in turn came from the Greek verb epigignesthai, meaning "to be born after." "Epi-" can mean "after," and gignesthai means "to be born."

Origin and Etymology of epigone

German, from Latin epigonus successor, from Greek epigonos, from epigignesthai to be born after, from epi- + gignesthai to be born — more at kin

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First Known Use: 1865

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