Epithet As A Lexical Stylistic Device

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The term “epithet” is taken from the Greek word epitheton , meaning “attributed” or “added,” and was formed by combining epi, meaning “on,” and tithenai, meaning “to place”. According to Prof Galperin I.R., “epithet is a lexical stylistic device based on the interplay of emotive and logical meaning in an attributive word, phrase or even sentence, used to characterize an object and pointing out to the reader and frequently imposing on him some of the properties or features of the object with the aim of giving an individual perception and evaluation of these features or properties”. Prof. Sosnovskaya V. B. gives another definition: “Epithet is an attributive characterization of a person, thing or phenomenon. It is, as a rule, simple in form. In the majority of cases it consists of one word: adjective or adverb, modifying respectively nouns or verbs”. Epithet is an adjective or phrase that is used to describe sb/sth’s character or the most important quality, especially in order to give praise or criticism. (Oxford Advanced Learner’s Dictionary of Current English)