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Epithet

By Mark Flanagan, About.com

Definition: The addition of an adjective or phrase to a word or name used to express the characteristic of that person, thing, or idea. Examples include "Ivan the Terrible," "Ms. Know-it-all," "Alexander the Great," and "The Artist formerly known as Prince." Homer famously used epithet's found throughout "The Odyssey" that included "rosy-fingered Dawn" and "gray-eyed Athena."

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