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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.

eponym

/ˈɛpəˌnɪm/ /ˈɛpənɪm/

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.

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