Epitome

Epitome is a noun with two related meanings. In one sense it refers to a person or thing that embodies a quintessential example of a quality or class, such as someone who is the epitome of grace. In another sense, it denotes a concise or condensed summary or abstract of a larger work or complex idea.

Etymology: from Greek epitomē, meaning "a cutting short, summary," from epi- "upon" and temnein "to cut." The term entered English in the 17th century. The primary sense of a short summary coexists with the sense of a representative example; the related verb epitomize means to typify or embody something as its best example.

Usage: The summaric sense is common in academic and editorial writing, where an epitome provides a brief digest of a text. In literary and rhetorical use, epitome highlights a person or thing that serves as the perfect model of a trait. It is often preceded by "the epitome of" as in "the epitome of good taste." Note that epitome is not limited to negative or positive judgment; context determines sentiment. Synonyms include summary, abstract, précis for the condensed sense; epitome for the representative sense.

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