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epithet

Syllabification: (ep·i·thet)

Pronunciation: /ˈepəˌTHet/

Translate epithet | into German | into Italian

Definition of epithet

noun

an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned:old men are often unfairly awarded the epithet “dirty.”
an epithet as a term of abuse:the woman begins to hurl racial epithets at them

Derivatives

epithetic
epithetical
epithetically

Origin:

late 16th century: from French épithète, or via Latin from Greek epitheton, neuter of epithetos 'attributed', from epitithenai 'add', from epi 'upon' + tithenai 'to place'