Part 796

Ep`i*tha*lam"ic (?), a. Belonging to, or designed for, an epithalamium.

Ep`i*tha*la"mi*um (?), n.; pl. Epithalamiums (#), L. Epithalamia (#). [L., fr. Gr. &?; , orig. an adj., nuptial; 'epi` upon, at + &?; bride chamber.] A nuptial song, or poem in honor of the bride and bridegroom.

The kind of poem which was called epithalamium . . . sung when the bride was led into her chamber.

B. Jonson.

Ep`i*thal"a*my (?), n.; pl. Epithalamies (&?;). Epithalamium. [R.] Donne.

||Ep`i*the"ca (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. 'epi` upon + &?; a case, box, fr. &?; to place.] (Zoöl.) A continuous and, usually, structureless layer which covers more or less of the exterior of many corals.

Ep`i*the"li*al (?), a. Of or pertaining to epithelium; as, epithelial cells; epithelial cancer.

Ep`i*the"li*oid (?), a. [Epithelium + -oid.] (Anat.) Like epithelium; as, epithelioid cells.

||Ep`i*the`li*o"ma (?), n. [NL. See Epithelium, and -oma.] (Med.) A malignant growth containing epithelial cells; -- called also epithelial cancer.

Ep`i*the"li*um (?), n.; pl. E. Epitheliums (#), L. Epithelia (#). [NL., fr. Gr. 'epi` upon + &?; nipple.] (Anat.) The superficial layer of cells lining the alimentary canal and all its appendages, all glands and their ducts, blood vessels and lymphatics, serous cavities, etc. It often includes the epidermis (i. e., keratin-producing epithelial cells), and it is sometimes restricted to the alimentary canal, the glands and their appendages, -- the term endothelium being applied to the lining membrane of the blood vessels, lymphatics, and serous cavities.

Ep`i*the"loid (?), a. (Anat.) Epithelioid.

Ep"i*them (?), n. [L. epithema, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to lay or put on: cf. F. épithème. See Epithet.] (Med.) Any external topical application to the body, except ointments and plasters, as a poultice, lotion, etc.

||Ep`i*the"ma (?), n. [NL., from Gr. 'epi` upon + &?; a case, box, fr. &?; to place.] (Zoöl.) A horny excrescence upon the beak of birds.

||E*pith"e*sis (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; a putting on; 'epi` upon + &?; to place.] The addition of a letter at the end of a word, without changing its sense; as, numb for num, whilst for whiles.

Ep"i*thet (?), n. [L. epitheton, Gr. &?;, fr. &?; added, fr. &?; to add; 'epi` upon, to + &?; to put, place: cf. F. épithète. See Do.] 1. An adjective expressing some quality, attribute, or relation, that is properly or specially appropriate to a person or thing; as, a just man; a verdant lawn.

A prince [Henry III.] to whom the epithet "worthless" seems best applicable.

Hallam.

2. Term; expression; phrase. "Stuffed with epithets of war." Shak.

Syn. -- Epithet, Title. The name epithet was formerly extended to nouns which give a title or describe character (as the "epithet of liar"), but is now confined wholly to adjectives. Some rhetoricians, as Whately, restrict it still further, considering the term epithet as belonging only to a limited class of adjectives, viz., those which add nothing to the sense of their noun, but simply hold forth some quality necessarily implied therein; as, the bright sun, the lofty heavens, etc. But this restriction does not prevail in general literature. Epithet is sometimes confounded with application, which is always a noun or its equivalent.

Ep"i*thet, v. t. To describe by an epithet. [R.]

Never was a town better epitheted.

Sir H. Wotton.

{ Ep`i*thet"ic (?), Ep`i*thet"ic*al (?), } a. [Gr. &?; added.] Pertaining to, or abounding with, epithets. "In epithetic measured prose." Lloyd.

Ep"i*thite (?), n. [Gr. &?; impostor.] A lazy, worthless fellow; a vagrant. [Obs.] Mason.

Ep`i*thu*met"ic (?), a. Epithumetical. [Obs.]

Ep`i*thu*met"ic*al (?), a. [Gr. &?;, fr. &?; to long for, lust after; 'epi` + qymo`s soul, heart, desire.] Pertaining to sexual desire; sensual. Sir T. Browne.

Ep`i*tith"i*des (?), n. [NL., fr. Gr. &?; to place upon. See Epithet.] (Arch.) The uppermost member of the cornice of an entablature.

E*pit"o*ma`tor (?), n. [LL.] An epitomist. Sir W. Hamilton.