- 1
The epitome of something is the best, clearest example of it — the person or thing that seems to hold the whole idea in one place. “She is the epitome of calm” means: if you want to see what calm looks like, look at her. It is a slightly formal, word, common in writing and careful speech. Though actually, the older school meaning is different: an epitome was a short cut-down version of a long book, a summary. You may still meet that sense in old essays, but almost always need the “perfect example” sense. Say it with four beats: e-PIT-uh-mee.
典範；極致（「……的縮影」也常這樣用，但比較像「小小代表了全部」）
組成From Greek epitome, “a cutting short”: epi- “upon” + temnein “to cut.” First a shortened book; later, the thing that captures the whole idea.
同家族的字
- epitomizethe verb: to be that kind of example
原始詞典資料4 筆記錄
以下是外部詞典記錄的用法，原文照列，我們還沒有寫成教學內容。上面的說明才是我們自己寫的；有些用法可能上面已經講過了。
epitomenoun/əˈpɪt.ə.mi/
- 1
The embodiment or encapsulation of a class of items.
- This is a poore Epitome of yours, / Which by th'interpretation of full time, / May ſhew like all your ſelfe.
- But first I took up Ayesha's kirtle and the gauzy scarf with which she had been wont to hide her dazzling loveliness from the eyes of men, and, averting my head so that I might not look upon it, covered up that dreadful relic of the glorious dead, that shocking epitome of human beauty and human life.
- 2
A representative example.
- The minute they see me, fear me / I'm the epitome of "public enemy"
- Every single relationship in his life is transactional. That is incredibly pathetic and sad. That is the epitome of a loser.
- 3
The height; the best; the most vivid.
- He looks the very epitome of fright: I do not think he could eat one of those apples, if it were given him.
- 4
A brief summary of a text.
- Having now so amply declared unto thee most of the principal things of this thrice-renowned and illustrious city, I will briefly by way of an epitome mention most of the other particulars thereof, and so finally shut up this narration: there are reported to be in Venice and the circumjacent islands two hundred churches in which are one hundred forth-three pairs of organs, fifty-four monasteries, twenty-six nunneries, fifty-six tribunals or places of judgment, seventeen hospitals, six companies or fraternities, whereof I have before spoken; one hundred and sixty-five marble statues of worthy personages, partly equestrial, partly pedestrial, which are erected in sundry places of the city, to the honour of those that either at home have prudently administered the commonweal, or abroad valiantly fought for the same.
資料來源：英文維基詞典 English Wiktionary（CC BY-SA 4.0）。 原文照列，未經改寫。