sarcophagus

sar·coph·a·gus

noun \sär-ˈkä-fə-gəs\

plural sar·coph·a·gi\-ˌgī, -ˌjī, -ˌgē\ also sar·coph·a·gus·es

Definition of SARCOPHAGUS

: a stone coffin; broadly : coffin

Examples of SARCOPHAGUS

1. <the crypt under the abbey church contains the sarcophagus of the monastery's founding abbot>

Origin of SARCOPHAGUS

Latin sarcophagus (lapis) limestone used for coffins, from Greek (lithos) sarkophagos, literally, flesh-eating stone, from sark- sarc- + phagein to eat — more at baksheesh

First Known Use: 1619

Related to SARCOPHAGUS

Synonyms: bier, box, casket, pall, coffin

Related Words: charnel (also charnel house), crypt, sepulchre (or sepulcher), sepulture, tomb, vault; urn; body bag

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Rhymes with SARCOPHAGUS

coprophagous, esophagus, monophagous, necrophagous