epitheton |
e-pith'-e-ton | from Gk. epithets“placed upon, added” |
appositum, sequens | |
epithet, qualifier, figure of attribution | |
Attributing to a person or thing a quality or description—sometimes by the simple addition of a descriptive adjective; sometimes through a descriptive or metaphorical apposition. | ||
Note: If the description is given in place of the name, instead of in addition to it, it becomes antonomasia or periphrasis. |
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Examples | ||
The
following example is epitheton using a simple adjective added to a noun.
As Quintilian suggests, the epithet is made stronger when metaphorical,
as this is: "unfettered joy" Epitheton is sometimes used in the conventional
names or descriptive slogans found in oral-formulaic poetry: A series of following appositions constitute
this use of epitheton: |
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Related Figures | ||
Related Topics of Invention | ||
See Also | ||
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Sources: | Quintilian 8.6.40-43; Peacham (1577) H1r; Putt. (1589) 187, 193 ("epitheton," "qualifier," "the figure of attribution"); Day 1599 84 |
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