epitaph
/ˈɛpɪtɑːf
/ /ˈɛpɪtaf/noun
1A phrase or form of words written in memory of a person who has died, especially as an inscription on a tombstone: figurative a poignant epitaph to his creative career...
- This might be recorded on their tombstone as an epitaph or in an obituary, commemoration portrait, or in some cases a biography.
- All the tombstones were well carved, and some had wonderful epitaphs written on them; one, belonging to a 22 year old woman said ‘Those who seek me with all their heart shall find me where they least expect’.
- A few words like that are sweeter than an epitaph on the grandest tombstone ever raised.
Synonyms
elegy, commemoration, obituary, funeral oration;
inscription, engraving, etching, legend
1.1Something by which a person, time, or event will be remembered: the story makes a sorry epitaph to a great career
Origin
Late Middle English: from Old French epitaphe, via Latin from Greek epitaphion 'funeral oration', neuter of ephitaphios 'over or at a tomb', from epi 'upon' + taphos 'tomb'.
Old French epitaphe came via Latin from Greek epitaphion ‘funeral oration’, from ephitaphios ‘over or at a tomb’, from epi ‘upon’ and taphos ‘tomb’.