epigone

American  

[ep-i-gohn] / ˈɛp ɪˌgoʊn /

Also epigon

noun

1. an undistinguished imitator, follower, or successor of an important writer, painter, etc.

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epigone British  

/ ˈɛpɪˌɡəʊn, ˈɛpɪˌɡɒn /

noun

1. rare an inferior follower or imitator

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Other Word Forms

• epigonic adjective
• epigonism noun

Etymology

Origin of epigone

First recorded in 1860–65; from Latin epigonus, from Greek epígonos “(one) born afterward,” equivalent to epi- + -gonos, akin to gígnesthai “to be born, become”; see epi-

Explanation

Someone who copies a well-known poet, closely imitating her style, is an epigone. You are also an epigone if you admire and imitate another kind of writer, a visual artist, or a musician. If you put a lot of time into trying to duplicate the sound of your favorite rock star, recording covers of his hits or writing songs that sound almost identical to his, you're an epigone. You can also use the word to describe the follower of a particular philosopher, or an admirer of a famous chef, especially if you imitate her cooking style. Epigone has a Greek root, epigonos, "offspring or successor."

Example Sentences

He is no longer just the arch mannerist, the etiolated epigone of Michelangelo, perverse and stylised in equal measure.

From The Guardian • Oct. 22, 2010

Allende is not just an epigone of Garcia Marquez.

From Time Magazine Archive

The son of a military-hospital clerk in the Nile Delta, Sadat for much of his political life had seemed to be not much more than a devoted epigone of Egypt's beloved leader.

From Time Magazine Archive

He is neither a precursor nor an epigone, neither a forerunner nor a late-comer.

From Rashi by Szold, Adele