noun

epitome

epitome, personification, perfect example

She is the epitome of elegance.

She is the epitome of elegance.

The hotel was the epitome of luxury.

The hotel was the epitome of luxury.

((the epitome of sth.)) the perfect example of (sth.) She is the epitome of elegance.

Synonyms: personification, embodiment, quintessence, paragon

From Greek 'epitomē', from 'epitemnein' meaning 'to cut short', from 'epi-' (in addition) + 'temnein' (to cut). Originally meant a summary.

Imagine cutting ('tome') a big idea down to its perfect, essential example. It's the 'tip' ('epi-') of the iceberg that represents the whole.

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