Russian language is very rich and expressive. And you can verify this yourself if you try to choose an epithet for a particular noun, pronoun. After all, there will be about ten, one hundred, and in some cases even more words! What other language can boast such diversity ?!
However, it is often difficult to recall the desired epithet. And this greatly complicates the process, for example, writing an essay, a poem or an article in a journalistic style. For this reason, in the material below we will introduce epithets to the word “eyes”. Which really can be listed a great many.
What is an epithet?
Before proceeding to the disclosure of the topic of the current article, it is very important to understand what lies behind the unusual noun “epithet”. According to the dictionary of literary terms, this word should be understood as a definition that is used to emphasize the specificity of a particular subject, important for a given case, and to allow the reader or listener to feel this sign, introduce it, and understand the subject by its artistic-figurative definition. That is, the main function of epithets is to emphasize the important nuances of objects or phenomena with a word, not a voice, and thereby fill the phrases with emotions. Therefore, they are so often used in writing.
However, it is incorrect to assume that only the name adjective can act as an epithet. In fact, it can be expressed in all significant parts of speech. For example: black eyes - the epithet is expressed by the name adjective; Mother Volga is a noun; bloomed quickly - an adverb; I, bewitched, is the sacrament; playing hide and seek, the children forgot about time - the sacrament involved. You can list for a long time, because we pronounce, write, hear or read sentences, without even thinking about analyzing their members. In which we once practiced at school. Therefore, sometimes we don’t even notice which part of the speech acts as an epithet.
The importance of these visual means is difficult to convey in words. After all, they are used not only in literature or in writing, but also in everyday colloquial speech. For example, if we want to indicate that a person is excessively weak, we talk about him like this: crybaby, rag, whiner, roar, weakling, miserable, insignificant, dissolving nurse, sissy, etc.
What is the difference between an epithet and a metaphor?
In the literature, one can often find both pictorial means. However, it is sometimes very difficult to figure out what a particular phrase is. For example, many of us have heard, read or spoken the phrase “glass eyes” ourselves. Is it an epithet or a metaphor, have we ever thought about it? It seems that the word "glass" answers the question "what". So, we have an epithet. But the eyes cannot really be glass when it comes to a real organ.
In fact, the difference between epithet and metaphor still exists. And if you delve into the question and try to comprehend it, it will become obvious. Firstly, an epithet is an additional word (or a group of words), most often expressed by an adjective, which joins the main one and clarifies its qualities, features, signs or properties. Secondly, the epithet cannot exist independently, it will always be an application. The metaphor, for the most part, consists of two or more words. One part appears in the literal sense or meaning, and the other in the figurative. The latter transfers the image of one object or phenomenon to another. Therefore, the main function of a metaphor is to cause people to associate between two completely different things. In addition, a metaphor can be a different part of speech. And even an epithet can be part of it. But no metaphor will ever be part of the epithet.
That is why, when it comes to eyes that are really made of glass (puppet, toy or human eye prostheses), the word "glass" can be considered an epithet. But in the case when empty, unemotional, expressing nothing and not meaning the organs of vision are meant, the steady expression “glass eyes” is a metaphor.
Thus, the phrase “glass eyes” is both an epithet and a metaphor. Depending on the context.
Color feature of the iris
Basically, when we see or present this or that object, phenomenon, we note its main features. If we are talking about the eyes, then we pay attention first to the color of the iris. And accordingly, we distinguish the following epithets:
- blue;
- blue
- green
- hazel;
- brown;
- black
- gray
- gray-blue;
- blue-black;
- light blue (green, brown, blue).
Feature of the shape and size of the eyes
The next sign, which is also paramount for the word “eye,” is an epithet that describes the shape and size of the organ of vision. Of these, the most commonly used are:
- large;
- rounded
- narrow
- slanting or slanting;
- sunken;
- squinted;
- open;
- small
- sunken;
- half-covered;
- wide;
- squinted;
- large;
- oblong;
- convex;
- deep set;
- huge.
Metaphorical epithets describing eye color
Very often we talk about the organs of vision, not directly indicating their features, but only implying or hinting. This method is often used in the literature. But sometimes, even in colloquial speech, we resort to this very technique. Most often, when we want to not just indicate the color, shape or size of the eyes, but to share our associations that arose when looking at them. So, for example, you can use, describing green eyes, the epithet "emerald". Thus emphasizing the brightness or shade of the iris. By the same principle, it is easy to distinguish the following epithets to the noun “eyes”:
- marsh;
- nutty;
- amber;
- agate;
- pearl;
- golden;
- lilac;
- the colors of steel, whiskey, burnt sugar, ash;
- cornflower blue;
- Coffee
- olive;
- azure;
- carnelian;
- sapphire;
- Chocolate
- smoky;
- ultramarine;
- bottle;
- plum;
- prunes;
- violet.
Metaphorical epithets describing the shape and size of the eyes
There are also cases when we seek to convey the similarity of an object or phenomenon with any other. For example, speaking of the shape or size of the eyes, we can use the following epithets:
- almond-shaped;
- biblical
- icon painting;
- pupillary;
- failed
- puppetry;
- Tatar
- Mongolian
- Circassian
- wide open;
- bazedovye.
Epithets as a way of transmitting the physical condition of the eyes
We all know that people often get sick or feel unwell. And since the organs of vision are also part of the human body, appropriate signs can also be selected for them. For example, if you need to talk about eye health, the following epithets are appropriate:
- farsighted;
- bloody
- red or reddened;
- swollen or swollen;
- sick;
- wet
- subblind;
- shortsighted;
- tired
- swimming
- withered;
- inflamed;
- cried
- half asleep;
- sleepy;
- sleepless.
Epithets indicating the nature of the gaze
There is a judgment that the eyes are a mirror of the soul. That is why in books it is very often possible to notice how the authors, describing the look of the hero, convey his state of mind. How they do it is not difficult to guess. Enough to think about what kind of eyes can be. Tenacious and apt - epithets that most people first come to mind. But besides them there are others:
- running;
- liquid;
- tired
- velvet
- watery;
- fast
- attentive;
- glossy;
- gelatinous;
- drunk or intoxicated;
- exhausted;
- bottomless;
- strict;
- piercing;
- sparkling;
- dull;
- empty or empty;
- SLR
- shining;
- burning;
- wild
- clean
- clear
- careful;
- sparkling;
- unsteady;
- scattered;
- icy;
- faded;
- good ones;
- downcast;
- glazed or glass;
- extinct;
- extinct;
- cold
- close;
- febrile;
- frozen
- blurred;
- fiery;
- brilliant;
- motionless;
- muddy;
- radiant;
- the dead;
- oily;
- sharp-sighted;
- hot
- bloodshot;
- happy
- wandering;
- lifeless.
Epithets expressing the state, feelings, character of a person
In addition to the above signs, one can distinguish others. For example, there are a great many adjectives and other parts of speech that allow you to convey the inner world of a hero, character or real person. For example, if you want to say that this individual is immodest, we note that he has arrogant, self-confident, rude, immoral eyes. And the epithet "hazel" in this case will not be enough. Because he will not tell our interlocutor absolutely nothing about the character or behavior of a particular person. For this reason, it is more reasonable to use such epithets:
- gambling;
- cruel
- good-natured;
- squeamish;
- alluring;
- questioning;
- arrogant;
- lascivious;
- spiky;
- admired;
- detached;
- crazy
- guilty;
- playful;
- imperious;
- suffering;
- shameless or shameless;
- thoughtless;
- honest
- cunning;
- deceitful;
- greedy.
Metaphorical epithets that convey the similarity of a person with representatives of the fauna
To note the similarity of a person to any animal, bird or fish, the following epithets are used:
- lamb;
- sheep;
- hare
- falcon, eagle or hawk;
- Cow
- deer;
- fish;
- wolf
- owls;
- foxes;
- serpentine;
- veal;
- mouse or rat;
- bullish;
- seals;
- feline;
- bulldogs;
- dragonflies.
However, in speech we often use the phrase “puppy eyes”. The epithet for black, brown, green, or organs of vision of a different color is equally suitable. After all, it conveys emotions, not the color of the iris.
Epithets that convey the nature of eye exposure
Speaking of eyes, especially if we mean the organs of vision of a loved one or a loved one, we strive to convey signs that show exactly what effect they have on us. From here a series of epithets to the word "eyes" appears, telling not only about beauty, but also about the nature of the impact of specific eyes on us. For example, in literary works, as well as in everyday speech, we often pronounce such adjectives:
- divine;
- devilish;
- damn beautiful;
- angelic
- charming;
- magical;
- attractive;
- attractive;
- captivating;
- charming;
- stupefying;
- subordinates;
- bewitching;
- depriving will.
An incredible number of people live in the world. Perhaps this is known to all - from small to large. And each person has his own special features or qualities, a unique smile or manner of behavior. That is why one person is best suited for the epithet "shiny" eyes. This will indicate his cheerfulness and positive attitude. And the other, on the contrary, is characterized by the adjective “sad”. After all, we are all different, and all in our own way special.