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Where does the word "epitome" come from? It comes from Greek epitomē, and was adopted directly into English (1520s).
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Where does the word "epitome" come from? It comes from Greek epitomē, and was adopted directly into English (1520s).
Epitome’s story begins in Greek: epitomē meant “abridgement.” Greek, 'epi-', upon, plus 'temnein', to cut. It reached English by 1520s as epitome. The sense 'perfect example' dates from the 1600s. Today, epitome means a perfect example.
- Stage 1 · Greek · ancient epitomē "abridgement", Greek, 'epi-', upon, plus 'temnein', to cut.
- Stage 2 · English · 1520s epitome "summary", the sense 'perfect example' dates from the 1600s.