epithet
/ˈepɪθet/noun
1- an adjective or descriptive phrase expressing a quality or attribute regarded as characteristic of the person or thing mentioned（表述人或事物性质、特征的）表述词语：
old men are often unfairly awarded the epithet 'dirty'.
老人常常被不公正地冠以“肮脏”这一表述词语。
1.1
- such a word or phrase as a term of abuse绰号; 侮辱性称谓：
the woman begins to hurl racial epithets at them.
那个女人开始恶狠狠地用带有种族侮辱的称谓漫骂他们。
派生词
epithetic
adjectiveepithetical
adjectiveepithetically
adverb词源
late 16th cent.: from French épithète, or via Latin from Greek epitheton, neuter of epithetos 'attributed', from epitithenai 'add', from epi 'upon' + tithenai 'to place'.