Epigraphical

/ˌɛpɪˈɡræfɪkəl/ adjective

Definition

Another form of epigraphic, meaning relating to inscriptions or the study of inscriptions on ancient monuments.

Etymology

From epigraphic plus the suffix -al, creating a variant form that was common in older academic English; both epigraphic and epigraphical are correct but epigraphic is now preferred.

Kelly Says

The existence of both 'epigraphic' and 'epigraphical' shows how English lets us add multiple suffixes to the same root—it's like having two keys that open the same door.

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