— epithetic, epithetical , adj.
/ep"euh thet'/ , n.
1. any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed quality: "Richard the Lion-Hearted" is an epithet of Richard I.
2. a characterizing word or phrase firmly associated with a person or thing and often used in place of an actual name, title, or the like, as "man's best friend" for "dog."
3. a word, phrase, or expression used invectively as a term of abuse or contempt, to express hostility, etc.
[ 1570-80; epitheton epithet, adjective epítheton epithet, something added, equiv. to epi- EPI- + the- (var. s. of tithénai to put) + -ton neut. verbid suffix ]
Syn. 1, 2. nickname, sobriquet, designation, appellation. 3. curse, insult, abuse, expletive, obscenity.