A Word From Garr: eponym
Posted: Wed Jan 17, 2007 10:01 am
A while back, I tossed out the idea of posting words on here occasionally. I can't guarantee a "word-a-day," but I can promise to throw down a new word here and there as I encounter them in my reading. It may show my ignorance, but if I encounter a word that I have either never seen before OR can only define through context, I'll try to toss them down here!
ep·o·nym
from http://dictionary.reference.com
1. a person, real or imaginary, from whom something, as a tribe, nation, or place, takes or is said to take its name: Brut, the supposed grandson of Aeneas, is the eponym of the Britons.
2. a word based on or derived from a person's name.
3. any ancient official whose name was used to designate his year of office.
[Origin: 1840–50; back formation from eponymous]
—Related forms
ep·o·nym·ic, adjective
ep·o·nym
from http://dictionary.reference.com
1. a person, real or imaginary, from whom something, as a tribe, nation, or place, takes or is said to take its name: Brut, the supposed grandson of Aeneas, is the eponym of the Britons.
2. a word based on or derived from a person's name.
3. any ancient official whose name was used to designate his year of office.
[Origin: 1840–50; back formation from eponymous]
—Related forms
ep·o·nym·ic, adjective
