epitome etymology

Etymology of Epitome

The word "epitome" originates from the Greek word "epitome," meaning "summary," "abstract," or "a cutting short." It can be broken down into the following:

  • epi- (ἐπί): a prefix meaning "upon," "over," or "concise"
  • temnein (τέμνω): a verb meaning "to cut"

Meaning and Origin

An epitome is the most representative or perfect example of something. It is a concise summary or abstract that captures the essential points or features of a larger work, subject, or concept.

The word was first used in ancient Greece to refer to a brief summary or abridgment of a literary work. It was commonly used to condense epic poems or historical accounts into a more manageable form for study or reference.

Over time, the term "epitome" has come to be used more broadly to describe any concentrated or abbreviated representation of a larger body of knowledge. It is often used in fields such as literature, history, science, and philosophy to summarize or encapsulate complex ideas or systems of thought.

Example Usage

  • "The dictionary is an epitome of language, containing all the words and their definitions."
  • "The scientific paper provided an epitome of the latest research on climate change."
  • "The museum's collection of artifacts is an epitome of human history and culture."

epitome relate terms

  • epitomize

    Etymology Latin epitomē Greek ἐπιτομή epitomē from ἐπιτεμνειν

  • epitome

    Etymology of Epitome The word epitome originates from the Greek word epitome meaning

  • epicenter

    Etymology Origin Greek epikentros at the center Composition epi upon at k

  • anatomy

    Etymology Ana Greek prefix meaning upwards apart or through Tome Greek root

  • atom

    Etymology The word atom is derived from the Greek word átomos which literally mean

  • contemplate

    Etymology Origin Latin contemplari meaning to gaze at consider meditate upon Root

  • contemplation

    Etymology From Middle English contemplacioun from Old French contemplacion from Latin

  • diatom

    Etymology Diatom is derived from the Greek words dia through and tomos cut refe

  • dichotomy

  • entomolite

    Etymology Entom Greek insect lite Latin stone Meaning An entomolite is a fossi

  • entomology

    Etymology The word entomology is derived from the Greek words ἔντομον énto

  • entomophagous

    Etymology The word entomophagous is derived from the Greek words entomo meaning

  • epitome

    Etymology of Epitome The word epitome originates from the Greek word epitome meaning

  • phlebotomy

    Etymology The word phlebotomy comes from the Greek words phleps meaning vein temne

  • temple

    Etymology The English word temple is derived from the Latin word templum which in t

  • tmesis

    Etymology Greek temnein to cut mesis act of cutting Meaning Cutting apa

  • tome

    Origin Late Middle English from Anglo Norman French tome from Old French tome from L

  • tonsorial

    Etymology The word tonsorial derives from the Latin word tonsus meaning shorn or

  • tonsure

    Etymology Origin Latin tonsura from the verb tondere meaning to shear Meaning

  • prototype

    Etymology The word prototype originated from the Greek words protos πρῶτος

  • paradigm

    Etymology Greek paradigma παράδειγμα meaning example model or pat

  • image

    Etymology The word image comes from the Latin word imago which in turn comes from th

  • Baskerville

    Etymology The surname Baskerville is of English origin derived from the Old English pers

  • microcosm

    Etymology Microcosm is derived from two Greek words μικρός mikros meaning

  • crepe

    Etymology The word crepe originates from the French word crêpe which means fabric

  • abstract

    Etymology Origin Latin abstractus past participle of abstrahere meaning to draw away

  • imago

    Etymology The word imago comes from the Latin word imago which means image or lik

  • example