EPONYM

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does eponym mean? 

• EPONYM (noun)
  The noun EPONYM has 2 senses:

1. the person for whom something is named

2. the name derived from a person (real or imaginary)

  Familiarity information: EPONYM used as a noun is rare.

 Dictionary entry details 

• EPONYM (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

The person for whom something is named

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

Constantine I is the eponym for Constantinople

Hypernyms ("eponym" is a kind of...):

name (a language unit by which a person or thing is known)

Derivation:

eponymic; eponymous (being or relating to or bearing the name of an eponym)

Sense 2

Meaning:

The name derived from a person (real or imaginary)

Classified under:

Nouns denoting communicative processes and contents

Context example:

Down's syndrome is an eponym for the English physician John Down

Hypernyms ("eponym" is a kind of...):

name (a language unit by which a person or thing is known)

Derivation:

eponymic; eponymous (being or relating to or bearing the name of an eponym)