epithetic

An author uses an epithetic phrase to describe the hero.

Definition

1. Adjective:
   • Relating to or characterized by the use of an epithet: "epithetic" describes something that pertains to or involves an epithet, which is a descriptive word or phrase used to characterize a person or thing, often in a fixed or conventional manner.

Usage Examples

• (The poet frequently uses fixed descriptive terms.)
• (His comments used descriptive labels to characterize the politician.)

Advanced Usage

• "epithetic expression": a phrase that serves as an epithet.

  • "The Eternal City" is an epithetic expression for Rome. (A conventional descriptive phrase.)

• "epithetic tradition": a literary practice of using fixed epithets.

  • Homeric poetry is known for its epithetic tradition, such as "wine-dark sea." (The practice of repeating descriptive phrases in epic poetry.)

Variants and Related Words

• Epithet (noun): a descriptive word or phrase used to characterize someone or something.

  • "Alexander the Great" uses the epithet "the Great." (A descriptive label.)

• Epithetical (adjective): an alternative form of "epithetic," with the same meaning.

  • The epithetical language in the epic added vividness. (Descriptive language using epithets.)

Synonyms

• Descriptive: serving to describe.
• Qualifying: assigning a quality or attribute to something.

Related Idioms

• No direct idioms: "epithetic" is a technical or literary term and does not commonly appear in idioms.

Phrasal Verbs

• No phrasal verbs: "epithetic" is an adjective and does not form part of phrasal verbs.