epigram Hear it!

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

epigram Synonyms

epigram

n.

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

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.
  • find: By page 46 I'd found the epigram for my next book and a quote for a text message to a depressed friend.

Adjective modifier

  • short: He is the long man with the short epigram.
  • bawdy: Collection of bawdy epigrams to the Roman god Priapus; the illustration of the first page may not be suitable for work.
  • classical: The Uninvited Guest pieces together the odd lacunae and annotations in a manuscript collection of profound and bawdy classical epigrams.
epigram Quotes

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

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

—Marquis, Don(ald Robert Perry)

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

—Coleridge, Samuel Taylor