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epic

Pronunciation: /ˈɛpɪk/
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Definition of epic

noun

  • 1a long poem, typically one derived from ancient oral tradition, narrating the deeds and adventures of heroic or legendary figures or the past history of a nation.
  • [mass noun] the genre of epics:the romances display gentler emotions not found in Greek epic
  • a long film, book, or other work portraying heroic deeds and adventures or covering an extended period of time:a Hollywood biblical epic
  • 2 informal an exceptionally long and arduous task or activity:the business of getting hospital treatment soon became an epic

adjective

  • 1relating to or characteristic of an epic or epics:our national epic poem Beowulf
  • 2heroic or grand in scale or character:his epic journey around the world a tragedy of epic proportions
  • informal particularly impressive or remarkable:the gig last night was epic these CEOs are paid salaries and bonuses in the millions despite their epic failures

Derivatives

epical

adjective

epically

adverb

Origin:

late 16th century (as an adjective): via Latin from Greek epikos, from epos 'word, song', related to eipein 'say'

epic in other Oxford dictionaries

Definition of epic in the US English dictionary

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