ep·i·graph \ˈepəˌgraf, -ȧf\noun Etymology: Greek epigraphē, from feminine of epigraphos inscribed, from epigraphein to write on, inscribe — more at epigram 1.: inscription; especially: an inscription engraved in durable material (as on an ancient temple or monument or a coin) 2.: a quotation set at the beginning of a literary work (as a novel) or a division of it to suggest its theme : motto < a passage from the Divine Comedy provided the epigraph of the novel — R.P.Warren >