epithet
Characterizing name addition
An epithet is a word or phrase used to characterize someone or something: Alexander the Great, Richard the Lionheart, the wine-dark sea.
In modern usage, epithet often means an abusive or contemptuous term: The protesters hurled epithets at police.
The word carries a suggestion of name-calling, though historically it simply meant a descriptive label attached to a name.
Quality assigned to something
- characteristicDistinguishing quality or trait
- descriptorWord that describes something
- qualifierWord or phrase limiting meaning
- modifierWord altering another
adjective · appellation · sobriquet · byname · moniker · cognomen · nickname · designation
Insulting group label
- insultOffensive remark or action
- slanderSpoken false defamation
- invectiveAbusive denunciation
- abuseCruel or violent treatment
vilification · defamation · aspersion · taunt · mockery · disparagement · denigration · derogatory
Moved to new location
- appositiveRenaming grammatical element
- kenningFigurative Norse compound
- appellativeNaming word or title
- figureOutline or numeral
device · trope · poetic · literary · stylistic · ornament · embellishment · characterizing
Goods kept for sale
- formulaicFollowing a set template
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
- heroicExceptionally brave and noble
- traditionalFollowing long-held customs
conventional · recurring · swift-footed · rosy-fingered · wine-dark · grey-eyed · Achilles · Odysseus
attribute
Quality assigned to something
- characteristicDistinguishing quality or trait
- descriptorWord that describes something
- qualifierWord or phrase limiting meaning
modifier · adjective · appellation · sobriquet · byname · moniker · cognomen · nickname · designation · label
slur
Insulting group label
abuse · vilification · defamation · aspersion · taunt · mockery · disparagement · denigration · derogatory · pejorative
transferred
Moved to new location
- appositiveRenaming grammatical element
- kenningFigurative Norse compound
- appellativeNaming word or title
figure · device · trope · poetic · literary · stylistic · ornament · embellishment · characterizing · amplification
stock
Goods kept for sale
- formulaicFollowing a set template
- ornamentalFor beauty, not function
- heroicExceptionally brave and noble
traditional · conventional · recurring · swift-footed · rosy-fingered · wine-dark · grey-eyed · Achilles · Odysseus · Athena
title
Formal honorific or name
lady · duke · duchess · emperor · empress · majesty · highness · excellency · eminence · reverence
- mockerymockery, ridiculing, jeers, jeering, jibes
- nicknamesnickname, pet name, alias, handle, moniker
- surnamesSmith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, Jones
- titlesMr., Mrs., Ms., Dr., Miss
- utterancesutterance, statements, exclamation, assertion, questions
- literary devicesmetaphor, simile, hyperbole, personification, alliteration
epithetcompliment
Words expressing approval
praise · accolade · commendation · tribute · acclaim
epithetgiven name
Personal name from birth
proper name · birth name · legal name · Christian name · first name
epithetdesignation
Formal name or title
proper noun · pronoun · name · generic term · identifier
- transferred epithetAdjective applied to wrong noun