noun pl. sarcophagi -·gi′ (-jī′) or sarcophaguses -·guses

1. among the ancient Greeks, Romans, and Egyptians, a limestone coffin or tomb, often inscribed and elaborately ornamented
2. any stone coffin, esp. one on display, as in a monumental tomb

Etymology: L < Gr sarkophagos < sarx, flesh (see sarcasm) + phagein, to eat (see -phagous): because the limestone caused rapid disintegration of the contents