epi-, on, in.-tome,切る、切る、語源的にはtome,解剖学と同じ。すなわち、模範として切り取る。
英語の語源
epitome (n.)
1520s, "an abstract; brief statement of the chief points of some writing," from Middle French épitomé (16c.), from Latin epitome "an abridgment," from Greek epitome "an abridgment, a cutting on the surface; brief summary," from epitemnein "cut short, abridge," from epi "into" (see epi-) + temnein "to cut" (see tome). Sense of "person or thing that typifies something" is first recorded c. 1600. Related: Epitomical.
例文
1. T-shirts,the epitome of American casualness,have moved upscale.