epigraph

[ ep-i-graf, -grahf ]

/ ˈɛp ɪˌgræf, -ˌgrɑf /

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See synonyms for epigraph on Thesaurus.com

noun

an inscription, especially on a building, statue, or the like.

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

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CAN YOU ANSWER THESE COMMON GRAMMAR DEBATES?

There are grammar debates that never die; and the ones highlighted in the questions in this quiz are sure to rile everyone up once again. Do you know how to answer the questions that cause some of the greatest grammar debates?

Question 1 of 7

Which sentence is correct?

His boss, whom he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

His boss, who he admires, is waiting to meet with him about the big project.

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Origin of epigraph

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

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH epigraph

epigram, epigraph , epitaph, epithet

Words nearby epigraph

Epigoni, epigonus, epigram, epigrammatic, epigrammatize, epigraph, epigraphic, epigraphy, epigynous, epigynum, epilate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

How to use epigraph in a sentence

Richie Havens, 72 Who opened Woodstock, and thus became the epigraph to the ultimate document of the 1960s?
The Deaths You Missed This Year|Malcolm Jones, Jimmy So, Michael Moynihan, Caitlin Dickson|December 30, 2013|DAILY BEAST
The author quotes Shelby Foote for the epigraph: “Southerners are very strange about that war.”
The Best Civil War Books|Malcolm Jones|April 15, 2011|DAILY BEAST
But the presidential narrator—and perhaps Giscard himself—reply in the epigraph: “Promise kept.”
The Princess and the President|Eric Pape|September 23, 2009|DAILY BEAST
The verse you chose as an epigraph is altogether beneath criticism.
The Life & Letters of Peter Ilich Tchaikovsky|Modeste Tchaikovsky

It bears this Epigraph, "Ecce Ego admirationem faciam populo huic, miraculo grandi et stupendo."
Curiosities of Literature, Vol. 1 (of 3)|Isaac D'Israeli
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 History of Art in Ancient Egypt, Vol. II (of 2)|Georges Perrot
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

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

an inscription on a monument or building

Derived forms of epigraph

epigraphic (ˌɛpɪˈɡræfɪk) or epigraphical, adjectiveepigraphically, adverb

Word Origin for epigraph

C17: from Greek epigraphē; see epigram

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

epigraph

Origin of epigraph

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH epigraph

Words nearby epigraph

Words related to epigraph

How to use epigraph in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for epigraph

Derived forms of epigraph

Word Origin for epigraph