n.
Pronunciation: ' e-p ə - ˌ thet also -th ə t
Function: noun
Etymology: Latin epitheton, from Greek, from neuter of epithetos added, from epitithenai to put on, add, from epi- + tithenai to put ― more at DO
Date: 1579
1 a : a characterizing word or phrase accompanying or occurring in place of the name of a person or thing b : a disparaging or abusive word or phrase c : the part of a taxonomic name identifying a subordinate unit within a genus
2 obsolete : EXPRESSION
– ep · i · thet · ic \ ˌ e-p ə - ' the-tik \ or ep · i · thet · i · cal \ -ti-k ə l \ adjective