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epigram definition

epi·gram (ep′ə gram′)

noun

  1. a short poem with a witty or satirical point
  2. any terse, witty, pointed statement, often with a clever twist in thought (Ex.: “Experience is the name everyone gives to his mistakes”)
  3. use of the epigram

Etymology: ME < OFr epigramme < L epigramma < Gr, inscription, epigram < epigraphein < epi-, upon + graphein, to write: see graphic

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2005 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

epigram Synonyms

epigram

n.

witticism, quip, aphorism, bon mot; see joke 2, motto, saying. See syn. study at saying.


Webster's New World Roget's A-Z Thesaurus Copyright © 1999 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

epigram Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • include: What we can suggest is that any analysis of such matters must include this epigram as a fixed point in its hermeneutical line.

Adjective modifier

  • short: He is the long man with the short epigram.
epigram usage examples (more)

The word usage examples above have been gathered from various sources to reflect current and historical usage. They do not represent the opinions of YourDictionary.com.

epigram quotes

   What is an Epigram? a dwarfish whole, Its body brevity, and wit its soul.

-Coleridge, Samuel Taylor

The art of newspaper paragraphing is to stroke a platitude until it purrs like an epigram.

-Marquis, Don(ald Robert Perry)

If, with the literate, I am Impelled to try an epigram, I never seek to take the credit; We all assume that Oscar said it.

-Parker, Dorothy ne¤  e Rothschild

epigram quotes (more)

Webster's New World Dictionary of Quotations Copyright © 2005 by Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd. All rights reserved. Published by Wiley, Hoboken, NJ. Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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"epigram." Webster's New World College Dictionary. 2009

  • Your Dictionary. 5 July 2009
  • <www.yourdictionary.com/epigram>

APA Style

epigram. (2009). In Webster's New World College Dictionary

  • Retrieved July 5th, 2009, from www.yourdictionary.com/epigram

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