WordValeepigraph
a short quotation at the start of a book or chapter
In more detail
1. (noun) a short quotation or poem at the beginning of a book or chapter that introduces its theme
2. (noun) an inscription carved or written on a monument, tombstone, or building
Examples
- 1. The novel begins with an epigraph from Shakespeare that hints at the tragic ending.
- 2. The war memorial has an epigraph honoring those who died in the conflict.
How to use epigraph
An epigraph is a short, carefully chosen quotation or inscription that appears at the outset of a literary work (or sometimes before individual chapters) to frame or comment on the themes that follow. It differs from an epigram (a witty saying) and an epitaph (specifically an inscription on a grave). The term also applies to historical inscriptions on public monuments or buildings.
Common phrases
- brief epigraph
- opening epigraph
- carved epigraph
- epitaph on a tombstone
- epigraph to a chapter
Synonyms
inscription · quotation · motto · dedication
Word family
epigraphic · epigraphical · epigraphy · epigrapher
A common mistake
Learners often confuse epigraph with epitaph (an inscription on a tombstone or grave marker); while both are inscriptions, an epitaph is exclusively funerary, whereas an epigraph can appear in books or on any monument.
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