epigraph

[ ep-i-graf, -grahf ]
See synonyms for epigraph on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. an inscription, especially on a building, statue, or the like.

  2. an apposite quotation at the beginning of a book, chapter, etc.

Origin of epigraph

1
First recorded in 1615–25, epigraph is from the Greek word epigraphḗ inscription. See epi-, -graph

Words that may be confused with epigraph

Words Nearby epigraph

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use epigraph in a sentence

  • Fortunately they possessed Dumouchel's work on mnemonics, a duodecimo in boards with this epigraph: "To instruct while amusing."

    Bouvard and Pcuchet | Gustave Flaubert
  • When there is no epigraph upon which to depend the most skilful archæologist may here make mistakes.

  • A fact that is of botanic interest is to be met with here in the epigraph below the organ to Francesco Calceolari.

    The Story of Verona | Alethea Wiel

British Dictionary definitions for epigraph

epigraph

/ (ˈɛpɪˌɡrɑːf, -ˌɡræf) /


noun
  1. a quotation at the beginning of a book, chapter, etc, suggesting its theme

  2. an inscription on a monument or building

Origin of epigraph

1
C17: from Greek epigraphē; see epigram

Derived forms of epigraph

  • epigraphic (ˌɛpɪˈɡræfɪk) or epigraphical, adjective
  • epigraphically, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012