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epitome Definition

epito·me (ē pitə mē′, i-)

noun pl. -·mes′

  1. a short statement of the main points of a book, report, incident, etc.; abstract; summary
  2. a person or thing that shows all the typical qualities of something

Etymology: L < Gr epitomē, abridgment < epitemnein, to cut short < epi-, upon + temnein, to cut: see -tomy

epitome Synonyms

epitome

n.

  1. A typical or extreme example

    embodiment, exemplification, quintessence, essence, perfect example, exemplar, representative, type, typification, personification, incarnation, archetype, model, prototype, pattern, ultimate, last word; see also model 1.

  2. A brief summary

    abstract, abridgment, précis; see abridgment 2, summary. See syn. study at abridgment.

epitome Usage Examples

Preposition: of

  • elegance: A member of The Leading Small Hotels of the World, Royal Plantation is the epitome of British colonial elegance in Jamaica.
  • evil: Snake is the epitome of evil, Goldie the essence of physical beauty.
  • cool: Wills - the epitome of cool Sadly, he dropped it.
  • beauty: Hence the epitome of feminine beauty might become the rotund figure on which The Momma appears to pride herself.
  • living: The average man or woman in the street may not explain it in such terms, but it's the epitome of unsustainable living.
  • style: Power restored at Charters Friday 4th February 2005 Share the chic of this epitome of the style of the 1930s Full story.

Converse of object

  • represent: Nor does it claim that a particular type of British person represents the epitome of Britishness.
  • seem: But the most welcome appearance was probably from show-jumper Harvey Smith who even now seemed the epitome of the year he was tagged to.
  • become: Once the flies start hatching the fish respond by surface feeding, then dry fly fishing becomes the epitome of sport for most anglers.
  • remain: While other founder members, including Hubert Parson, became lavish spenders on an opulent lifestyle, Sum remained the epitome of normality.
  • look: All clean-shaven, bandbox smart in fresh uniforms, polished boots, new kit in their bags they looked the epitome of military discipline.
  • consider: In its day, the workhouse was considered the epitome of workhouse design.

Adjective modifier

  • absolute: Isn't Robin Hood meant to be the absolute epitome of all things English?
  • very: The Swan is the very epitome of what a good village community pub should be.
  • brief: We regret that we can only give a brief epitome of this interesting document.

Browse dictionary entries near epitome

  1. epithet
  2. epithelize
  3. epithelium
  4. epithelioma
  5. epithelioid
  6. epithelial
  7. epithalamium
  8. epitaxy
  9. epitasis
  10. epitaph
  1. epitomize
  2. epitope
  3. epizoic
  4. epizoon
  5. epizootic
  6. epizootiology
  7. EPO
  8. epoch
  9. epode
  10. EPON