epigram
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epigram
witticism, quip; ingenious saying tersely expressed
Not to be confused with:
epigraph – an inscription on a building or statue; quotation at the beginning of a book or chapter
Abused, Confused, & Misused Words by Mary Embree Copyright © 2007, 2013 by Mary Embree
ep·i·gram
(ĕp′ĭ-grăm′)n.
1. A short, witty poem expressing a single thought or observation.
2. A concise, clever, often paradoxical statement.
3. Epigrammatic discourse or expression.
[Middle English, from Old French epigramme, from Latin epigramma, from Greek, from epigraphein, to mark the surface, inscribe : epi-, epi- + graphein, to write; see gerbh- in Indo-European roots.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
epigram
(ˈɛpɪˌɡræm)n
1. a witty, often paradoxical remark, concisely expressed
2. (Poetry) a short, pungent, and often satirical poem, esp one having a witty and ingenious ending
[C15: from Latin epigramma, from Greek: inscription, from epigraphein to write upon, from graphein to write]
ˌepigramˈmatic, ˌepigramˈmatical adj
ˌepigramˈmatically adv
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
ep•i•gram
(ˈɛp ɪˌgræm)n.
1. a witty, ingenious, or pointed saying tersely expressed.
2. epigrammatic expression: a genius for epigram.
3. a short, concise poem, often satirical, displaying a witty or ingenious turn of thought.
[1400–50; late Middle English < Latin epigramma < Greek epígramma inscription, epigram. See epi-, -gram1]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
epigram
a pithy statement, often containing a paradox. — epigrammatist, n.
See also: Proverbsa pithy statement, often containing a paradox.
See also: Language-Ologies & -Isms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
epigram
A brief but memorable statement making a pithy observation.
Dictionary of Unfamiliar Words by Diagram Group Copyright © 2008 by Diagram Visual Information Limited
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Noun | 1. | epigram - a witty saying locution, saying, expression - a word or phrase that particular people use in particular situations; "pardon the expression" |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
epigram
noun witticism, quip, aphorism, bon mot, witty saying, witty poem Oscar Wilde was famous for his epigrams.
Quotations
"A thing well said will be wit in all languages" [John Dryden Essay of Dramatic Poesy]
"A thing well said will be wit in all languages" [John Dryden Essay of Dramatic Poesy]
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Translations
epigram
epigramma
epigramma
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
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epigram
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
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