epithet

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ep·i·thet / ˈepəˌ[unvoicedth]et/ • n. an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality characteristic of the person or thing mentioned: old men are often unfairly awarded the epithet “dirty.” ∎  such a word or phrase as a term of abuse: he felt an urge to hurl epithets in his face. ∎  a descriptive title: the epithet “Father of Waters,” poetically used for the Mississippi River.DERIVATIVES: ep·i·thet·ic / epəˈ[unvoicedth]etik/ adj.

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