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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.

Definition 2024


epigram

epigram

English

Alternative forms

Noun

epigram (plural epigrams)

  1. (obsolete) An inscription in stone.
  2. A brief but witty saying.
  3. A short, witty or pithy poem.
    When an epigram one's composin',
    brevity is key,
    of stanzas: one should be chosen,
    and of lines: one more than three.

Related terms

Translations

Anagrams


Czech

Noun

epigram m

  1. epigram

Serbo-Croatian

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /epǐɡram/
  • Hyphenation: e‧pi‧gram

Noun

epìgram m (Cyrillic spelling епѝграм)

  1. epigram

Declension