Definition of Epiteph

Definition of Epiteph

Epitaph, an inscription placed on a tombstone in commemoration of the dead interred below. The natural feeling which prompts such inscriptions has manifested itself among all civilised peoples, and not a little of a nation's character may be read in them. The Greeks reserved epitaphs for their heroes, but amongst the Romans grew up the modern custom of marking the tombs of relatives with some simple inscription, many of their sepulchres being placed on the side of the public roads, a circumstance which explains the phrase, Siste, viator—Stay, traveller—found in old graveyards.

- Wikipedia

Ep"i*taph (?), n. [F. épitaphe, L. epitaphium a funeral oration, fr. Gr. &?;, orig. an adj., over or at a tomb; 'epi` upon + &?; tomb. Cf. Cenotaph.] 1. An inscription on, or at, a tomb, or a grave, in memory or commendation of the one buried there; a sepulchral inscription.

Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb.

Shak.

2. A brief writing formed as if to be inscribed on a monument, as that concerning Alexander: "Sufficit huic tumulus, cui non sufficeret orbis."

Ep"i*taph, v. t. To commemorate by an epitaph. [R.]

Let me be epitaphed the inventor of English hexameters.

G. Harvey.

Ep"i*taph, v. i. To write or speak after the manner of an epitaph. [R.]

The common in their speeches epitaph upon him . . . "He lived as a wolf and died as a dog."

Bp. Hall.

- Webster's Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

EPITAPH, n. An inscription on a tomb, showing that virtues acquired
by death have a retroactive effect. Following is a touching example:

Here lie the bones of Parson Platt,
Wise, pious, humble and all that,
Who showed us life as all should live it;
Let that be said -- and God forgive it!

- 1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

[[English]]

inscription on a gravestone
     Translations
     *Dutch: grafschrift
     *Interlingua: epitaphio
     *Portuguese: epitáfio m

- The Nuttall Encyclopedia

You arrived at this page by searching for Epiteph
The correct Spelling of this word is: Epitaph

Thank you for visiting FreeFactFinder. On our home page you will find extensive articles covering a wide range of topics.

Home | A to Z | About | Contact Us | Related Links