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Webster 1913 Edition

Epigram

Ep′i-gram

,
Noun.
[L.
epigramma
, fr. Gr. [GREEK] inscription, epigram, fr. [GREEK] to write upon,
ἐπί
upon + [GREEK] to write: cf. F.
épigramme
. See
Graphic
.]
1.
A short poem treating concisely and pointedly of a single thought or event. The modern epigram is so contrived as to surprise the reader with a witticism or ingenious turn of thought, and is often satirical in character.
Dost thou think I care for a satire or an
epigram
?
Shakespeare
☞ Epigrams were originally inscription on tombs, statues, temples, triumphal arches, etc.
2.
An effusion of wit; a bright thought tersely and sharply expressed, whether in verse or prose.
3.
The style of the epigram.

Webster 1828 Edition

Epigram

EP'IGRAM

,
Noun.
[Gr. inscription; a writing.] A short poem treating only of one thing, and ending with some lively, ingenious and natural thought. Conciseness and point form the beauty of epigrams.
Epigrams were originally inscriptions on tombs, statues, temples, triumphal arches, &c.

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