| epitheton | |
| e-pith'-e-ton | from Gk. epithets�placed upon, added� |
| appositum, sequens | |
| epithet, qualifier, figure of attribution | |
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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: | Primary 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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