Definition: Eponym
Etymology
Back-formation from eponymous, from Ancient Greek á¼Ï€ÏŽÎ½á¿ μος or epṓnumos (concerning giving one's name to something; named in a significant manner; surnamed) + English -ous (suffix forming adjectives from nouns, denoting pertinence or relation). Ἐπώνῠμος or Epṓnumos is derived from á¼Ï€Î¯- or epÃ- (prefix meaning "on, upon) (ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *hâ‚epi (at; near; on)) + Aeolic Greek ὄνῠμᾰ or ónuma (from Ancient Greek ὄνομᾰ or ónoma (a name), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European *hâ‚nómnÌ¥ (a name), perhaps from *h₃neh₃- (to name)).
Noun
eponym (plural eponyms)
- A real or fictitious person or thing whose name has given rise to the name of a particular item.
- Romulus is the eponym of Rome.
- A word formed from a real or fictive person’s name.
- Rome is an eponym of Romulus.
Related terms
- eponymous
Credits
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