Words Starting with Epi-

Words Starting with Epi- Words Starting with Epi- Words Starting with Epi- By Mark Nichol The prefix epi, from the Greek word meaning â€Å"at,† â€Å"close to,† â€Å"on,† â€Å"in addition to,† or â€Å"on the occasion of,† is at the root of a number of diverse words that pertain in some way to something associated with something else. This post lists and briefly defines many of these terms. epicene (â€Å"in common†): having characteristics of both sexes (or neither), effeminate epicenter (â€Å"on center†): the point of a planet’s surface above the focus of a seismic event epicycle (â€Å"on circle†): a small circle moving on or around another circle epidemic (â€Å"on people†): as an adjective, affecting a large number of people; as a noun, a widespread disease, although often generally in reference to a contagious or prevalent trend epigone (â€Å"close upon birth†): originally, a lesser descendant of distinguished forebears; later, a disciple, follower, or imitator epigram (â€Å"written on†): a brief, clever poem or saying, originally in verse form and often satirical epigraph (â€Å"written on†): originally, an inscription on a statue or a structure; later, a brief but substantive statement at the front of a book or head of a chapter, or a motto epilogue (â€Å"in addition to speech†): a conclusion, originally of a play epiphany (â€Å"show on†): a manifestation or revelation, originally of Christ episcopal (â€Å"look over†): pertaining to a bishop episode (â€Å"in addition to entrance†): originally, commentary between songs as part of a Greek tragedy, later an experience or incident, and ultimately also a scene or a distinctive part of a narrative epistemology (â€Å"standing over†): the study of, or a theory of, knowledge epistle (â€Å"send to†): a letter epistrophe (â€Å"turning about†): repetition of a word or phrase at the end of consecutive sentences or other syntactical units, or a comparative musical repetition epitaph (â€Å"over tomb†): an inscription on a monument or tomb epithalamium (â€Å"into bridal chamber†): a poem or song in honor of newlyweds epithet (â€Å"place in addition†): a descriptive name for a person, place, or thing epitome (â€Å"cut into†): originally, an abstract; later something typical or an embodiment of an ideal Many medical and scientific terms with the epi- prefix, including epidermis (â€Å"on skin†) and epilepsy (â€Å"seize upon†), exist. Disguised related words include epexegesis (â€Å"additional explanation†), meaning â€Å"clarification of meaning†; ephemera (â€Å"on a day†), originally meaning â€Å"lasting for a day† and now referring to something transitory; epode (â€Å"after song†), meaning â€Å"a poem with a pattern of a long lines followed by a short line†; eponym (â€Å"on a name†), meaning â€Å"one whose name is applied to a place or a thing†; epoxy (â€Å"on oxygen†), a chemical compound used as a glue; and epoch (â€Å"on hold†), originally â€Å"a point marking the beginning of an era,† now more loosely synonymous with era itself. Epicure and its derivatives, from the proper name Epicurus, are unrelated. Want to improve your English in five minutes a day? Get a subscription and start receiving our writing tips and exercises daily! Keep learning! Browse the Vocabulary category, check our popular posts, or choose a related post below:Apply to, Apply for, and Apply withEmail EtiquettePreposition Mistakes #3: Two Idioms