epitaph

[ ep-i-taf, -tahf ]

noun

1. a commemorative inscription on a tomb or mortuary monument about the person buried at that site.
2. a brief poem or other writing in praise of a deceased person.

verb (used with object)

1. to commemorate in or with an epitaph.

epitaph

/ ˌɛpɪˈtæfɪk; -ˌtæf; ˈɛpɪˌtɑːf /

noun

1. a commemorative inscription on a tombstone or monument
2. a speech or written passage composed in commemoration of a dead person
3. a final judgment on a person or thing

Derived Forms

• epitaphic, adjective
• ˈepiˌtaphist, noun

Other Words From

• epi·taphic [ep-i-, taf, -ik], adjective
• epi·taphist noun
• epi·taphless adjective
• un·epi·taphed adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of epitaph¹

1350–1400; Middle English epitaphe < Latin epitaphium < Greek epitáphion over or at a tomb, equivalent to epi- epi- + táph ( os ) tomb + -ion noun, adj. suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of epitaph¹

C14: via Latin from Greek epitaphion, from epitaphios over a tomb, from epi- + taphos tomb

Example Sentences

The more I sit with Ruscha’s epitaphs, the less unexpected his love for plants becomes.

From Los Angeles Times

After the manner in which England’s campaign was conducted, it was both comedy gold and the perfect epitaph for those few weeks in France.

From BBC

On the headstone marking his grave, the epitaph simply read “The Butler.”

From Seattle Times

Hence, moviegoers understandably viewed "Let It Be," along with the film’s soundtrack, as epitaphs of sorts.

From Salon

But the coming weeks will determine whether it will also be his political epitaph.

From BBC

Related Words

• elegy
• eulogy