epithetic, epithetical 1. Any word or phrase applied to a person or thing to describe an actual or attributed quality: 'Richard the Lion-Hearted' is an epithet of Richard I. 2. A characterizing word or phrase firmly associated with a person or thing and often used in place of an actual name, title, or the like; such as, 'man's best friend' when re... Found on http://www.wordinfo.info/words/index/info/view_unit/2132/