epigram

epigram
epigram, epigraph
Both words come from the same Greek roots meaning ‘to write (or written) on’. Epigram is slightly earlier (16c) and has two principal meanings in current use, (1) a short poem with a witty or ingenious ending, and (2) a terse or pungent saying. A third meaning, a dedicatory or explanatory inscription on a building, tomb, coin, etc., is now obsolete and is supplied by epigraph, which also means a short quotation or pithy sentence put at the beginning of a book, chapter, etc., as a foretaste of the leading idea or sentiment to be found in the work.

Modern English usage. 2014.

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  • Epigram — Ep i*gram, n. [L. epigramma, fr. Gr. ? inscription, epigram, fr. ? to write upon, epi upon + ? to write: cf. F. [ e]pigramme. See {Graphic}.] 1. A short poem treating concisely and pointedly of a single thought or event. The modern epigram is so… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • epigram — [ep′ə gram΄] n. [ME < OFr epigramme < L epigramma < Gr, inscription, epigram < epigraphein < epi , upon + graphein, to write: see GRAPHIC] 1. a short poem with a witty or satirical point 2. any terse, witty, pointed statement,… …   English World dictionary

  • epigram — (n.) mid 15c., from M.Fr. épigramme, from L. epigramma an inscription, from Gk. epigramma an inscription, epitaph, epigram, from epigraphein to write on, inscribe (see EPIGRAPH (Cf. epigraph)). Related: Epigrammatist …   Etymology dictionary

  • epìgram — m knjiž. 1. {{001f}}u staroj Grčkoj, pjesnički natpis na javnim zgradama i na drugim javnim mjestima 2. {{001f}}kasnije, pjesma, ob. u elegijskom distihu, često političkog ili didaktičkog sadržaja, sa satiričnim prizvukom ili obratom ✧… …   Veliki rječnik hrvatskoga jezika

  • epigram — epìgram m DEFINICIJA knjiž. 1. u staroj Grčkoj, pjesnički natpis na javnim zgradama i na drugim javnim mjestima 2. kasnije, pjesma, ob. u elegijskom distihu, često političkog ili didaktičkog sadržaja, sa satiričnim prizvukom ili obratom… …   Hrvatski jezični portal

  • epigram — aphorism, apothegm, *saying, saw, maxim, adage, proverb, motto …   New Dictionary of Synonyms

  • epigram — [n] witticism aphorism, bon mot, joke, motto, pithy saying, quip, quirk; concept 278 …   New thesaurus

  • epigram — {{/stl 13}}{{stl 8}}rz. mnż I, D. u, Mc. epigrammie, {{/stl 8}}{{stl 7}}to samo co epigramat. {{/stl 7}} …   Langenscheidt Polski wyjaśnień

  • epigram — ► NOUN 1) a concise and witty saying or remark. 2) a short witty poem. DERIVATIVES epigrammatic adjective. ORIGIN Greek epigramma, from gramma writing …   English terms dictionary

  • Epigram — An epigram is a short poem, often with a clever twist at the end or a concise and witty statement. Derived from the Greek epi gramma , or written upon , the literary device has been employed for over two millennia.The Greek tradition of epigrams… …   Wikipedia

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