| Kenneth G. Wilson (1923–). The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. 1993. |
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| epitome (n.) |
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| pronounced ee-PIT-uh-mee, means “a summary or a brief statement covering a longer topic,” as in His brief statement is an epitome of the full manifesto, or “a typical or an ideal example of something,” as in She is the epitome of good manners. There is a difference of opinion over whether an epitome is only typical or whether it must be ideal. At the moment Standard English uses it in both meanings. An epitome that is ideal, however, may also epitomize either the best or the worst: His comments were the epitome of bad taste. Make certain that context clarifies these points when you use the word. | 1 |
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| | | The Columbia Guide to Standard American English. Copyright © 1993 Columbia University Press. |
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