Eponym - Meaning, Definition & English Examples
An eponym is a word derived from the name of a person, place, or thing, often used to describe inventions, discoveries, or cultural references. Examples include sandwich and Fahrenheit.
Definition:
A word or name derived from a person, often the inventor or discoverer.
Synonyms:
namesake, title, label
Part of Speech:
noun
Antonyms:
antonym, misnomer
Common Collocations:
eponymous character, eponymous founder, eponymous hero
Derivatives:
eponymous, eponymy
Usage Tips:
Use "eponym" to describe a thing named after a person, like "sandwich" from Earl of Sandwich.
Common Phrases:
eponymous hero, living eponym, historical eponym
Etymology:
From Greek "epōnumos," meaning "given as a name," combining "epi" (upon) and "onoma" (name).
Examples:
- 1. The word "sandwich" is an eponym derived from the Earl of Sandwich.
- 2. Atlas is an eponym for a collection of maps, named after the mythological Titan.
- 3. The term "boycott" is an eponym originating from Charles Boycott’s surname.
- 4. Many diseases are eponyms, like Alzheimer’s, named after Dr. Alois Alzheimer.