Transferred Epithet - Meaning, Definition and Examples

Among the different figures of speech in the English language, the transferred epithet is most often used in everyday communication. It is mostly done without the conscious knowledge of the user. Go through the article to learn what a transferred epithet means, its definition and how to identify and use a transferred epithet in sentences. Furthermore, take a look at the examples of transferred epithet given below for a clear idea about its usage.

Table of Contents

• What Is Transferred Epithet? – Meaning and Definition
• Forming and Using Transferred Epithets in Sentences – Points to Remember
• How Does a Transferred Epithet Differ from Personification?
• Examples of Transferred Epithet
• Frequently Asked Questions on Transferred Epithets

What Is Transferred Epithet? – Meaning and Definition

A transferred epithet, as the name suggests, is a figure of speech formed by the transfer of an epithet. The term ‘epithet’ refers to an adjective or a phrase that modifies a noun in the sentence, most probably the subject. This epithet, however, is transferred from the noun it is actually meant to describe to another noun (most probably the noun that takes the place of the object) in the sentence in order to form a transferred epithet. For instance, in the sentence, we had a memorable day, the epithet – memorable actually describes them having a memorable time and not the day itself.

Let us also read through a few dictionary definitions to have a better and clearer idea of what a transferred epithet is. According to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionary, an epithet is defined as “an adjective or phrase that is used to describe somebody/something’s character or most important quality, especially in order to give praise or criticism”, and the Oxford Dictionary of Literary terms states that a transferred epithet is formed when “an adjective appropriate to one noun is attached to another by association”. The Cambridge Dictionary defines an epithet as “an adjective added to a person’s name or a phrase used instead of it, usually to criticise or praise them”. So, it can be said that when such an adjective is transferred from the noun it actually modifies to another noun in the sentence; it can be called a transferred epithet.

Forming and Using Transferred Epithets in Sentences – Points to Remember

Having gone through the meaning and definition of a transferred epithet, if you are wondering how to form a transferred epithet, here is what you need to know. Before forming a transferred epithet, make sure you know what you want to describe or what effect you are trying to create.

For instance, if you want to say that you did not sleep all night due to a power cut or since someone kept the lights on the entire night, you can either say, I did not sleep all night. Or I had a sleepless night. Which of these do you think would create a better and long-lasting effect? The first sentence does say that you did not get much sleep. The second sentence also implies the same, but by using the adjective ‘sleepless’ to describe the night when it actually describes what happened to you, helps you portray a much better picture of the same.

Most often, many of you use transferred epithets unconsciously. When asked how your day was, you would either say, I had a wonderful day or I had such a bad day. It is very rare that you say, My day was wonderful. This is mainly because it is your experience that is taken into account and not the day.

How Does a Transferred Epithet Differ from Personification?

Well, if you are thinking that personification also describes an abstract idea or an object, the answer is yes. It does, but personification is used to personify a particular object or idea, whereas a transferred epithet is not used to personify any object or idea. Take a look at the table given below to have a much deeper understanding of how the two figures of speech differ from each other.

Examples of Transferred Epithet

Now, go through some more common examples of transferred epithets from literature and day-to-day conversations to completely understand how they work.

• • “Of noble natures, of the gloomy days,

Of all the unhealthy and o’er-darkened ways” (‘Endymion’ by John Keats)

• • “But Custard cried for a nice safe cage.” (‘The Tale of Custard the Dragon by Ogden Nash)
  • “And the sea, which appears to have changed less

Washed their terribly transient feet.” (‘A Photograph’ by Shirley Toulson)

• • “The snake trying

to escape the pursuing stick” (‘The Snake Trying’ by W. W. E. Ross)

• “The plowman homeward plods his weary way.” (‘Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard’ by Thomas Gray)
• We had such a wonderful time at the movies yesterday.
• I have a satisfying job.
• We had a friendly conversation.
• The four men who committed the murder were put in the condemned cell.
• They seemed to have an unhappy marriage.