An
epithet (from
epitheton, neut. of
epithetos, "attributed, added") is a
byname, or a descriptive term (word or phrase), accompanying or occurring in place of a name and having entered common usage. It can be described as a glorified nickname. It has various shades of meaning when applied to seemingly real or fictitious people, divinities, objects, and
binomial nomenclature. It can also be a descriptive title: for example,
Alexis I the Quiet or
Suleiman the Magnificent.