Epidemia, Gr. (lit. among the people). Festivals held at Argos in honour of Juno, and at Delos and Miletus in honour of Apollo. They received their name from the fact that these deities were supposed to be present at them, and to mingle with the people (ἐπὶ, among; δῆμος, people).
Epidote. A mineral of a green or greyish colour: of the garnet family.
Epidromos, Gr. (1) The mizen, or sail on the mast nearest to the stern, in vessels with several masts. (2) A part of the oil-press. (3) A running rope passing through the rings of a large net for catching birds, by means of which the huntsman, who was on the watch, closed the net when the game had found their way into it.
Epigonation, Gr., Chr. An ornament peculiar to the Eastern Church; a lozenge-shaped piece of some stiff material, hanging from the girdle on the right side as low as the knee (whence its name).
Epigrus. (See Epiurus.)
Epiphany, Chr. This festival is known by various names in the different European languages; and the names are either (1) mere reproductions of the Latin name, or renderings of it; or (2) refer to the manifestation to the Magi as the three Kings, as the Dutch Drie-Koningendag, &c.; or (3) indicate it as the final day of the Christmas festivity, Twelfth Day, &c. (See Smith and Cheetham’s Dictionary of Christian Antiquities.)
Epiphi, Egyp. The third month of summer, called the season of harvests.
Epirhedium, R. (ἐπὶ Gr., and rheda Gallic). A kind of chariot. The word was formed by the Romans as above, and is explained as Ornamentum rhedarum, aut plaustrum. (See Rheda, Plaustrum.)
Episcenium, Gr. and R. (ἐπι-σκήνιον, i. e. above the stage). A room situated above the stage, in ancient theatres, for the machinery.
Episcopalia, Chr. The ring and the pastoral staff, the distinctive marks of the authority of a bishop.