epithetical

Variant of epithet

epithet definition

epi·thet (ep′ə t̸het′, -t̸hət)

noun

  1. an adjective, noun, or phrase, often specif. a disparaging one, used to characterize some person or thing (Ex.: “egghead” for an intellectual)
  2. a descriptive name or title (Ex.: Philip the Fair; America the Beautiful)

Etymology: L epitheton < Gr, lit., that which is added < epitithenai, to put on, add < epi-, on + tithenai, to put, do

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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