An epithet is a literary device that describes a person, place, or object by accompanying or replacing it with a descriptive word or phrase. The word “epithet” comes from the Greek word “epitheton” (neuter of “epithetos”) which translates to “added” or “attributed.”

How many types of epithets are there?

There are three types of epithets that are effective in different ways, depending on historical and literary contexts.

What is epithet and examples?

What is Epithet? A girl's name is Marilynn, but her parents call her Lynn. Her sister calls her Mary. And her friends call her Merry-go-round when she's being silly. Lynn, Mary, and Merry-go-round are all epithets, or special nicknames that replace the name of a person and often describe them in some way.