epic means pertaining to a dialect characteristic of epic poems, especially Epic Greek. It carries an Arena rating of 1602, earned across 3 head-to-head judged battles.
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, epic ranks #2,392 of 17,052 for Most Storied Words, #2,500 of 17,052 for Most Whimsical Words, #2,769 of 17,052 for Most Sublime Words, #3,888 of 17,052 for Words That Escaped Their Books.
epic is pronounced /ˈɛp.ɪk/.
Why “epic” is a great word
A work, event, or quality of a grand, monumental, and heroically impressive scale. From Middle French épique, from Latin epicus, from Ancient Greek ἐπικός (epikós, 'of an epic'), from ἔπος (épos, 'word, story, song'). Unlike 'grandiose,' which suggests a hollow or pretentious inflation, or 'legend,' which is a diffuse traditional tale, 'epic' implies a scale so vast it demands awe and a formally structured narrative of concentrated heroic struggle. It is the clash of bronze armies on a plains-wide canvas, the unbroken sweep of a single voice across twelve thousand lines, and the solitary voyage across starless, abyssal seas—the human insistence that mortal struggle deserves immortal attention.
Etymology
From Middle French épique, from Latin epicus, from Ancient Greek ἐπικός (epikós), from ἔπος (épos, “word, story”).
adj
- Pertaining to a dialect characteristic of epic poems, especially Epic Greek.e.g.“Every δῆμος [dêmos] had one or more towns (πόλεις [poleis]), and accordingly for the complete description of the land, usual in the Epic phraseology, both expressions are commonly united […]”
- Of or relating to an epic.e.g.“Beowulf is an epic poem.”
- Momentously heroic; grand in scale or character.e.g.“The epic defense was rewarded with the highest military decorations”
- Extending beyond the usual or ordinary.e.g.“The after-prom party was truly epic.”
- That is an epimorphism.
noun
- An extended narrative poem in elevated or dignified language, celebrating the feats of a deity, demigod (heroic epic), other legend or traditional hero.e.g.“The Icelandic epic took all night to recite.”
- A series of events considered appropriate to an epic; any work of literature, film, etc. having heroic deeds and adventures as its subject matter.e.g.“The book was an epic in four volumes.”
- A large or extended user story.e.g.“Epics are shown in a separate list from user stories. This is because it is the user stories that are developed, not epics. Epics are decomposed into child user stories.”
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