Word Study
eponym
CIDE DICTIONARY
eponym, n. [Cf. F. éponyme. See Eponymous.].
- The hypothetical individual who is assumed as the person from whom any race, city, etc., took its name; as, Hellen is an eponym of the Hellenes. [1913 Webster]
- A name, as of a people, country, and the like, derived from that of an individual. [1913 Webster]
OXFORD DICTIONARY
eponym, n.
1 a person (real or imaginary) after whom a discovery, invention, place, institution, etc., is named or thought to be named.
2 the name given.
1 a person (real or imaginary) after whom a discovery, invention, place, institution, etc., is named or thought to be named.
2 the name given.
Derivative
eponymous adj.
Etymology
Gk eponumos (as EPI-, - onumos f. onoma name)
ROGET THESAURUS
eponym
Nomenclature
N nomenclature, naming, nuncupation, nomination, baptism, orismology, onomatopoeia, antonomasia, name, appelation, appelative, designation, title, heading, rubric, caption, denomination, by-name, epithet, style, proper name, praenomen, agnomen, cognomen, patronymic, surname, cognomination, eponym, compellation, description, antonym, empty title, empty name, handle to one's name, namesake, term, expression, noun, byword, convertible terms, technical term, cant, named, hight, ycleped, known as, what one may well, call fairly, call properly, call fitly, nuncupatory, nuncupative, cognominal, titular, nominal, orismological, beggar'd all description.For further exploring for "eponym" in Webster Dictionary Online