Basic Details
Word: Epithet
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: A descriptive phrase or term used to characterize someone or something, often highlighting a quality or attribute.
Synonyms: Nickname, label, designation, tag
Antonyms: Anonymity, namelessness
Idioms and Phrases
- Hurling epithets: Refers to shouting insults or offensive words. Example: "The angry fans were hurling epithets at the referee."
- An epithet of honor: A respectful or admiring term used to describe someone. Example: "He was given the epithet of 'The Brave' after his heroic actions."
Usage Examples
Example 1: The poet used the epithet "rosy-fingered dawn" to describe the sunrise.
Example 2: The soldier earned the epithet "Iron Man" for his resilience in battle.
Example 3: Political debates can sometimes devolve into name-calling and harsh epithets.
Fun Fact
The word "epithet" comes from the Greek word *epitheton*, meaning "added," often used in classical literature to give vivid descriptions, like swift-footed Achilles in Homer's *Iliad*.
Famous Quote
"An epithet is more than a name-it tells a story." Anonymous
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "epithet" mean?
a) A type of emotion
b) A descriptive phrase or term
c) A kind of poem
d) A secret location
Answer: b) A descriptive phrase or term
2. Which of these is a synonym of "epithet"?
a) Mystery
b) Nickname
c) Story
d) Title page
Answer: b) Nickname
3. Which is an antonym of "epithet"?
a) Anonymity
b) Designation
c) Tag
d) Label
Answer: a) Anonymity
4. Which sentence uses "epithet" correctly?
a) She wrote an epithet to explain her homework.
b) The monument bore an epithet honoring the fallen soldiers.
c) He cooked an epithet for dinner.
d) The epithet flew through the air.
Answer: b) The monument bore an epithet honoring the fallen soldiers.
5. What does the idiom "hurling epithets" mean?
a) Giving someone compliments
b) Throwing names literally
c) Shouting insults or offensive words
d) Naming places
Answer: c) Shouting insults or offensive words
