The 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, a hundred, and in some cases even more words! What other language can boast such diversity?!
However, very often it is quite difficult to remember the right epithet. And this significantly 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 present epithets for 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 feature of a particular subject that is important for a given case, and allow the reader or listener to feel this feature, present it, understand the subject in its artistic and figurative way.definition. That is, the main function of epithets is to emphasize the important nuances of objects or phenomena with a word, and not with a voice, and thereby fill phrases with emotions. That is why they are so often used in writing.
However, it is wrong to believe that only an 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 an adjective; Mother Volga - noun; blossomed quickly - adverb; I, spellbound - communion; playing hide-and-seek, the children forgot about time - adverbial turnover. You can list for a long time, because we pronounce, write, hear or read sentences without even thinking about parsing their members. In which we once practiced at school. Therefore, sometimes we do not notice which part of speech acts as an epithet.
The importance of these pictorial 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 shows excessive weakness of character, we speak of him like this: a crybaby, a rag, a whiner, a roar, a weakling, a pitiful, insignificant, dissolute nurse, a sissy, etc.
What is the difference between an epithet and a metaphor?
In the literature, you can often find both visual means. However, sometimes it is very difficult to figure out what this or that phrase is. For example, many of us have heard, read or said the phrase "glass eyes" ourselves. Is it an epithet or a metaphor, have we ever wonderedor? It seems that the word "glass" answers the question "what". So we have an epithet. But eyes can't really be glassy when it comes to a real organ.
In fact, there is a difference between an epithet and a metaphor. And if you delve into the question and try to comprehend it, it will become obvious. Firstly, an epithet is an additional word (or group of words), most often expressed by an adjective, which joins the main one and specifies its qualities, features, features or properties. Secondly, the epithet cannot exist on its own, it will always be an application. A metaphor is usually made up of two or more words. One part of it acts in the literal sense or meaning, and the other - in a figurative one. The latter transfers the image of one object or phenomenon to another. Therefore, the main function of a metaphor is to evoke associations in people between two completely different things. In addition, metaphor is a different part of speech. And even an epithet can be included in its composition. But no metaphor will ever be part of an epithet.
That is why, when it comes to eyes that are really made of glass (doll, toy or human eye prostheses), the word "glass" can be considered an epithet. But in the case when empty, unemotional, non-expressing and meaningless organs of vision are meant, the stable expression "glass eyes" is a metaphor.
Thus, the phrase "glass eyes" is both an epithet and a metaphor. Depending on the context.
Feature of the color of the iris
Basically, when we see or imagine this or that object, phenomenon, we note its main features. When it comes to the eyes, we first pay attention to the color of the iris. And accordingly, we single out the following epithets:
- blue;
- blue;
- green;
- brown;
- 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;
- round;
- narrow;
- oblique or oblique;
- 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 without pointing directly to their features, but only implying or hinting. This method is often used in the literature. But sometimes even in colloquial speech we resort to just such a technique. Most often, when we want not only to point out the color, shape or size of the eyes, but to share our associations that have arisenwhen 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 for the noun "eyes":
- marsh;
- nutty;
- amber;
- agate;
- pearl;
- golden;
- lilac;
- colors of steel, whiskey, burnt sugar, ash;
- cornflower blue;
- coffee;
- olive;
- azure;
- carnelian;
- sapphire;
- chocolate;
- smoky;
- ultramarine;
- bottle;
- plum;
- prune;
- violet.
Metaphorical epithets describing the shape and size of the eyes
There are also cases when we strive to convey the similarity of an object or phenomenon with some other. For example, when talking about the shape or size of the eyes, we can use the following epithets:
- almond-shaped;
- biblical;
- iconic;
- pupillary;
- failed;
- puppet;
- Tatar;
- Mongolian;
- Circassian;
- open;
- Basedows.
Epithets as a way of conveying the physical state 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, you can pick up the appropriate signs for them. For example, if you need to tellabout the state of eye he alth, the following epithets are suitable:
- far-sighted;
- bloody;
- red or flushed;
- swollen or swollen;
- sick;
- wet;
- poor-sighted;
- myopic;
- tired;
- swollen;
- faded;
- inflamed;
- tearful;
- drowsy;
- sleepy;
- sleepless.
Epithets indicating the nature of the look
There is a judgment that the eyes are the 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. It is enough to think about what eyes can be. Tenacious and well-aimed are the epithets that most people first come to mind. But there are others besides them:
- running;
- liquid;
- tired;
- velvet;
- watery;
- fast;
- attentive;
- glossy;
- gelatinous;
- drunk or tipsy;
- exhausted;
- bottomless;
- strict;
- shrill;
- sparkling;
- dim;
- empty or empty;
- mirror;
- shiny;
- burning;
- wild;
- clean;
- clear;
- careful;
- sparkling;
- unsteady;
- scattered;
- icy;
- faded;
- kind;
- downcast;
- glazed or glass;
- extinguished;
- extinct;
- cold;
- staring;
- feverish;
- frozen;
- foggy;
- fiery;
- shiny;
- fixed;
- cloudy;
- radiant;
- dead;
- buttered;
- sharp;
- hot;
- bloodshot;
- happy;
- wandering;
- lifeless.
Epithets expressing the state, feelings, character of a person
In addition to the above signs, there are 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 a real person. For example, if we want to say that this individual behaves immodestly, we will note that he has arrogant, self-confident, boorish, immoral eyes. And the epithet "brown" 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. It is for this reason that it is more reasonable to use such epithets:
- gambling;
- cruel;
- good-natured;
- squeamish;
- alluring;
- questioners;
- arrogant;
- lunatic;
- prickly;
- delighted;
- detached;
- crazy;
- guilty;
- naughty;
- powerful;
- suffering;
- shameless or shameless;
- thoughtless;
- honest;
- tricky;
- false;
- greedy.
Metaphorical epithets that convey the resemblance of humans to fauna
To mark the similarity of a person with any animal, bird or fish, use the following epithets:
- lamb;
- sheep;
- hare;
- falcon, eagle or hawk;
- cow;
- deer;
- fish;
- wolf;
- owl;
- foxes;
- serpentine;
- veal;
- mouse or rat;
- bullish;
- seals;
- feline;
- bulldog;
- dragonflies.
However, we often use the phrase "puppy eyes" in speech. The epithet for black, brown, green, or organs of vision of a different color fits equally. After all, it conveys emotions, not the color of the iris.
Epithets that convey the nature of the impact of the eyes on others
When talking about the 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. Hence a number of epithets for the word "eyes" appear, telling not only about beauty, but also about the nature of the impact of specific eyes on us. For example, in literary works, as in everyday speech, we often pronounce such adjectives:
- divine;
- devilish;
- damn beautiful;
- angelic;
- charming;
- magical;
- attractive;
- attractive;
- captivating;
- charming;
- intoxicating;
- subordinates;
- bewitching;
- depriving the will.
There are an incredible number of people in the world. Perhaps everyone knows about this - from small to large. And each person has their own special traits or qualities, a unique smile or demeanor. That is why the epithet “brilliant” eyes is most suitable for one person. This will indicate his cheerfulness and positive attitude. And the other, on the contrary, will be characterized by the adjective "sad." After all, we are all different, and we are all special in our own way.
