To be a perfect example or typical representation of something; to represent in concentrated form. It means to serve as the ideal embodiment of a quality or type.
From Greek 'epitome,' meaning 'a cutting short' or 'abridgment,' from 'epi-' (upon) and 'temnein' (to cut). Originally referred to a condensed version of a longer work, it evolved to mean a perfect condensed example of something.
Epitomize comes from Greek 'to cut short' - originally meaning an abridged version of a book! This 'cutting' metaphor is perfect: when someone epitomizes something, they're like a 'condensed version' that captures all the essential qualities in concentrated form. It's about distillation, not dilution!
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