Pick The Epi- 'Nyms Trivia Quiz

Answer: Epicene

"Having the characteristics of both sexes; hermaphroditic" (Collins English Dictionary). Epicene originates from the Greek 'epi-' and 'koinós' meaning 'common'. The earliest known use of this word is from the 15th century and use of this word in classical literature can be seen in Ben Jonson's "Epicoene, or the Silent Woman" also known as just "Epicene", printed in 1616.

Other synonyms apart from androgyne are hermaphrodite and monoclinous, the later relating to botany. "Monoclinous: Having the stamens and pistils in the same flower" (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)

Answer: Epicurean

The philosophy of Epicureanism originated with the Greek philosopher Epicurus, founded around 300 BC. His philosophy simply states that mankind needs to live a life deriving as much pleasure from life as possible, without suffering the after effects of over indulgence. Synonyms are hedonistic, self-indulgent, libertine, sybaritic, pleasure-seeking, bacchanalian, gluttonous, gourmandizing.

Answer: Episcopal

Episcopal means:
"1. Of or relating to a bishop.
2. Of, relating to, or involving church government by bishops."
(American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition).

It is derived from Late Latin 'episcopālis', from 'episcopus' meaning 'bishop'. When capitalised, it can refer to the Episcopal Church which is a church that has bishops in its organisations structure. It is synonymous with the Anglican church in certain countries.

Answer: Epithet

"A characterizing word or phrase added to or used in place of the name of a person or thing" (Webster's College Dictionary). It also has a negative definition, meaning a word or phrase used as term of contempt or abuse. Synonyms are appellation, tag, designation, sobriquet, curse or imprecation.

The word is derived from the Latin 'epitheton', from Greek 'epitithenai' meaning 'to add', from 'tithenai' meaning 'to put'. Some well known historical epithets are "Ivan the Terrible" and "Ethelred the Unready" and epithets are commonly used to describe comic book superheroes e.g. Superman known as "The Man of Steel" and Batman known as "The Dark Knight".

Answer: Epistle

"Webster's College Dictionary" defines an epistle as "a letter, esp. a formal or didactic one." We generally associate epistles with The Bible, specifically the epistles written by Paul the Apostle. The books of "Romans", "1 Corinthians", "2 Corinthians", "Galatians", "Ephesians", "Philippians", "Colossians", "1 Thessalonians", "2 Thessalonians", "1 Timothy", "2 Timothy", "Titus" and "Philemon" are all Pauline Epistles.

The word is Greek in origin, coming from 'epistolḗ' meaning 'message, letter'.

Answer: Epistyle

Epistyle, also known as an architrave, is an architectural term. It describes a block of wood or stone (lintel, beam) which sits on an abacus (the uppermost portion of the capital of a column). It originates from the Latin 'epistӯlium', from Greek 'epistulion' which combines the prefix 'epi-' and 'stulos' meaning 'column, style'. Good examples of epistyle use can be found in the main frieze of the US Supreme Court building as well as the Colosseum in Rome.

Answer: Epitome

The "Collins English Dictionary" defines epitome as "a typical example of a characteristic or class; embodiment; personification". Some synonyms for epitome are personification, embodiment, incarnation, paragon. THe word is derived from the Greek 'epitomē', from 'epitemnein' meaning 'abridge' which is made up of the prefix 'epi-' meaning 'in addition' and 'temnein' meaning 'to cut'. You could use it in a sentence in the following ways, "Mary Quant was the epitome of style", "Ghandi was the epitome of grace" or "Batman's archvillain, The Joker, is the epitome of insanity".

Answer: Epistrophe

Epistrophe is also known as epiphora. It is a rhetorical device, defined as "The deliberate repetition of a word or phrase at the end of several successive verses, clauses, or paragraphs" (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.).

The word is derived from the Greek, 'epi-' and 'strophē' meaning 'a turning'. A good example of this is found in the Gettysburg Address by Abraham Lincoln, "a government of the people, by the people, for the people".

Answer: Epilemma

Epilemma or endoneurium is a word for "the interstitial connective tissue in a peripheral nerve, separating individual nerve fibers. Called also Henle's sheath and connective tissue sheath of Key and Retzius." as per the "Miller-Keane Encyclopedia and Dictionary of Medicine, Nursing, and Allied Health".

There are two different posited etymologies for this word. The first is from Ancient Greek, 'lêmma' meaning 'premise, assumption'. The second is also Ancient Greek, from lémma, from 'lépō' meaning 'I peel'.

The second seems more relevant.

Answer: Epilogue

Epilogue is synonymous with afterword, close, closing, ending, conclusion, end. It has relevance in theatre as well as literature. "A short poem or speech spoken directly to the audience following the conclusion of a play" or "A short addition or concluding section at the end of a literary work, often dealing with the future of its characters" (American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition).

It is derived from Old French 'epilogue', from Latin 'epilogus', from Greek 'epilogos' meaning 'conclusion of a speech' which is made up of 'epi-' and 'logos' meaning 'word, speech'.