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epigram

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The definition of an epigram is a witty short poem or statement.

(noun)

An example of an epigram is "Make crime pay: become a lawyer" by Will Rogers.

See epigram in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

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

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

See epigram in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

A short, witty poem expressing a single thought or observation.
A concise, clever, often paradoxical statement. See Synonyms at saying.
Epigrammatic discourse or expression.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old French epigramme

Origin: , from Latin epigramma

Origin: , from Greek

Origin: , from epigraphein, to mark the surface, inscribe

Origin: : epi-, epi-

Origin: + graphein, to write; see gerbh- in Indo-European roots

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