epiteto

epithet; label

noun eh-PEE-teh-toh Rare

Origin: From Latin epitheton, from Greek epitheton (attributed), from epithetai (to add on).

Usage Note

Epiteto can be a laudatory or derogatory label applied to a person: gli fu dato l'epiteto di traditore (he was given the epithet of traitor). In literary grammar it describes an attributive adjective (l'epiteto omerico — the Homeric epithet, e.g. 'swift-footed Achilles'). The plural is gli epiteti.

Examples

"Gli affibbiarono un epiteto poco lusinghiero."

Natural Translation

They pinned an unflattering epithet on him.

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