epitomee‧pit‧o‧me /ɪˈpɪtəmi/ noun 
She looked the epitome of elegance. He was the very epitome of evil.
WORD ORIGINepitome
Origin:
1500-1600 Latin, Greek, from epitemnein ‘to cut short’, from epi- ( ➔ EPICENTER) + temnein ‘to cut’EXAMPLES FROM THE CORPUS
- From his dark expertly cut hair to his hand-made shoes he was the epitome of the new young man.
- He was the epitome of the dashing, flamboyant, slightly scruffy Bomber Pilot.
- Seen by romantic eyes it is the epitome of the nobility of nature, but what is the truth of the situation?
- The epitome of this process was William's great taxation record, the Domesday Book of 1086.
- The suburbans were seen as the epitome of clerkly conformism, complacency, and conservatism.
- Vladek, like Rupert, is the epitome of pluck: jaunty, stouthearted and as resourceful as he is intrepid.
Longman Language Activatorto be a typical example of someone or something
something that is a good , excellent , or perfect example of a group or type of thing, has all the usual and typical qualities of that group or type: · There are many beautiful Norman churches in this part of England. Iffley church is a good example.· If you want to know how not to make a video, this is a perfect example!· France produces some of the world's best dessert wines, and this is an excellent example.be a good/excellent/perfect etc example of: · The fox is a good example of a wild animal that has adapted to living in towns.
also characterise British to be typical of a person, place, or thing: · We approached the big empty square that characterizes the centre of Chinese cities.· Bright, vibrant colors characterize his paintings.· Robinson's photographs are characterized by the intense contrasts of dark and light areas, and the consequent loss of detail.
to be a typical example of a type of person, thing, attitude, or situation: · This letter typifies his loyalty and consideration.· Burke's arrogance seems to typify this government's approach.· Mrs Maugham's attitude towards the television typified her whole moral outlook.
also epitomise British to be the most typical example of a type of person, thing, attitude or situation: · His poems epitomize the feelings of the generation of soldiers that fought in World War I.· The auto assembly line epitomizes the conditions that contribute to employee dissatisfaction.
to be the best possible example of a particular type of person or thing or of a particular quality: · Christine's clothes are the epitome of good taste.· With her neat hair and her flat, sensible shoes, she was the epitome of the traditional librarian.
if someone personifies a particular quality, they are the perfect example of someone who has that quality: · The little boy seemed to personify the poverty and famine of his country.· To the school children, kindness and beauty were personified by their teacher Miss Appleby.
COLLOCATIONS FROM THE ENTRY He was the very epitome of evil.COLLOCATIONS FROM THE CORPUSADJECTIVE
He was the very epitome of evil.· Roses always seemed more personal; the very epitome of romance.· It was the very epitome of what a great sporting occasion should be about and very seldom is.
PHRASES FROM THE ENTRY
the epitome of something the best possible example of something: - Haneberg is the epitome of the successful executive.
- From his dark expertly cut hair to his hand-made shoes he was the epitome of the new young man.
- He was the epitome of the dashing, flamboyant, slightly scruffy Bomber Pilot.
- Seen by romantic eyes it is the epitome of the nobility of nature, but what is the truth of the situation?
- Sprawled on the opposite sofa, he was the epitome of relaxation.
- Taylor was the epitome of the leader as facilitator.
- This is the epitome of the Corinthian overrealized eschatology.
- To me, Kentucky last year was the epitome of a team.
She looked the epitome of elegance. He was the very epitome of evil.