The word 'epitome' refers to a person or thing that is a perfect example of a particular quality or type. It signifies the essence, embodiment, or representation of something. For example, if someone mentions that a particular athlete is the epitome of hard work, it means that the athlete perfectly exemplifies the quality of hard work.
The word 'epitome' originates from the Greek word 'epitomē', meaning "summary" or "abridgment." It is derived from the verb 'epitemnein', which means "to cut short" or "to cut out." Over time, the meaning evolved to denote a representation or a perfect example rather than just a summary.