An inscription on a building, statue, or coin, or a short quotation or saying at the beginning of a book or chapter. In literature, it often sets the tone or theme for what follows.
From Greek epi (upon, on) + graphein (to write), meaning 'writing upon' or 'inscription.' The word entered English in the mid-17th century via Latin epigraphē. Originally referring to ancient inscriptions carved on monuments and buildings, it expanded to include literary quotations placed 'upon' or at the beginning of texts.
An epigraph is 'writing upon' something — whether carved on ancient marble or printed at a chapter's start! It's fascinating how this connects to paragraph (writing beside) and telegraph (writing at a distance). All show how Greek speakers understood writing as a spatial activity: you write ON, BESIDE, or ACROSS DISTANCE to communicate.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.