'Epitomes' definitions:

Definition of 'Epitomes'

From: GCIDE
  • Epitome \E*pit"o*me\, n.; pl. Epitomes. [L., fr. Gr. ? a surface incision, also, and abridgment, fr. ? to cut into, cut short; 'epi` upon + te`mnein to cut: cf. F. ['e]pitome. See Tome.]
  • 1. A work in which the contents of a former work are reduced within a smaller space by curtailment and condensation; a brief summary; an abridgement. [1913 Webster]
  • [An] epitome of the contents of a very large book. --Sydney Smith. [1913 Webster]
  • 2. A compact or condensed representation of anything; something possessing conspicuously or to a high degree the qualities of a class. [1913 Webster +PJC]
  • An epitome of English fashionable life. --Carlyle. [1913 Webster]
  • A man so various that he seemed to be Not one, but all mankind's epitome. --Dryden.
  • Syn: Abridgement; compendium; compend; abstract; synopsis; abbreviature. See Abridgment. [1913 Webster]

Words containing 'Epitomes'