Where does “epigraph” come from?
Epigraph comes from Ancient Greek ἐπιγραφή, formed from ἐπί (upon) and γράφω (to write), ultimately from Proto-Indo-European ger- (to scratch or carve).
epigraph (English): An inscription, especially on a building; A...
Definitions
- An inscription, especially on a building; A...
Ancestry of “epigraph”, step by step
| Step | Language | Word | Meaning |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ancient Greek | ἐπιγραφή | inscription; description of parties in pleadings |
| 2 | Ancient Greek | ἐπιγράφω | graze, inscribe; I inscribe; to mark the surface |
| 3 | Ancient Greek | ἐπι- | on, upon, on top of, all over, covering; on,... |
| 4 | Ancient Greek | ἐπί | as well, besides; For usage in composition, see... |
| 5 | Ancient Greek | Ἡμέρα | — |
| 6 | Ancient Greek | ἦμαρ | day; by day; midday |
| 7 | Proto-Hellenic | ā́mər | day |
| 8 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eh₃mr̥ | heat |
| 9 | Proto-Indo-European | h₂eh₃- | to be hot; to burn |