epigraph

noun

ep·​i·​graph ˈe-pə-ˌgraf 

1

: an engraved inscription

2

: a quotation set at the beginning of a literary work or one of its divisions to suggest its theme

Examples of epigraph in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Biggest Revelations from Prince Harry's Book Spare 1 Year After Its Release The epigraph — the quote that opens a book — also carries significant meaning. —Janine Henni, People.com, 22 Oct. 2024

But what those hundreds of pounds of muscle and fur might mean is challenging to see through the dark woods of this intense novel, which begins with an epigraph from the Brothers Grimm. —Ron Charles, Washington Post, 18 June 2024

The epigraph of that book is from this book by Carol Queen, who’s a huge hero of mine, called The Leather Daddy and the Femme. —Emma Specter, Vogue, 13 June 2024

This quotation, from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, serves as the fitting epigraph to Robert Draper’s riveting new book on U.S. President George W. Bush’s decision to go to war in Iraq. —Melvyn P. Leffler, Foreign Affairs, 13 Oct. 2020

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Greek epigraphḗ "act of inscribing, inscription," noun of action from epigráphein "to mark the surface of, graze, scratch a mark on, inscribe" — more at epigram

First Known Use

1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1