sarcophagus
[ sahr-kof-uh-guhs ]
/ sɑrˈkɒf ə gəs /
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noun, plural sar·coph·a·gi [sahr-kof-uh-jahy], /sɑrˈkɒf əˌdʒaɪ/, sar·coph·a·gus·es.
a stone coffin, especially one bearing sculpture, inscriptions, etc., often displayed as a monument.
Greek Antiquity. a kind of stone thought to consume the flesh of corpses, used for coffins.
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Origin of sarcophagus
1595–1605; <Latin <Greek sarkophágos, noun use of the adj.; see sarcophagous
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How to use sarcophagus in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for sarcophagus
sarcophagus
/ (sɑːˈkɒfəɡəs) /
noun plural -gi (-ˌɡaɪ) or -guses
a stone or marble coffin or tomb, esp one bearing sculpture or inscriptions
Word Origin for sarcophagus
C17: via Latin from Greek sarkophagos flesh-devouring; from the type of stone used, which was believed to destroy the flesh of corpses
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
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