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epigraph

 - 3 dictionary results

ep⋅i⋅graph

  [ep-i-graf, -grahf]
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–noun
1. an inscription, esp. on a building, statue, or the like.
2. an apposite quotation at the beginning of a book, chapter, etc.
Origin:
1615–25; < Gk epigraph inscription. See epi-, -graph
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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ep·i·graph   (ěp'ĭ-grāf')   
n.  

  1. An inscription, as on a statue or building.

  2. A motto or quotation, as at the beginning of a literary composition, setting forth a theme.


[Greek epigraphē, from epigraphein, to write on; see epigram.]
ep'i·graph'ic, ep'i·graph'i·cal adj., ep'i·graph'i·cal·ly adv.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

epigraph 
1624, from Gk. epigraphe "an inscription," from epigraphein "to write on," from epi- "on" + graphein "write." Sense of "motto; short, pithy sentence at the head of a book or chapter" first recorded in Eng. 1844.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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