sarcophagus

noun

sar·​coph·​a·​gus sär-ˈkä-fə-gəs How to pronounce sarcophagus (audio)
plural sarcophagi sär-ˈkä-fə-ˌgī How to pronounce sarcophagus (audio)
-ˌjī,
-ˌgē
also sarcophaguses
: a stone coffin
broadly : coffin

Did you know?

Body-eating coffins might sound like something out of a horror film, but flesh-eating stone? The latter plays a role in the etymology of sarcophagus; it is the literal translation of líthos sarkóphagos, the Greek phrase that underlies the English term. The phrase traveled through Latin between Greek and English, taking on the form lapis sarcophagus before being shortened to sarcophagus. It's not clear whether the ancient Romans believed that a certain type of limestone from the region around Troy would dissolve flesh (and thus was desirable for making coffins). That assertion came from Roman scholar Pliny the Elder, but he also reported such phenomena as dog-headed people and elephants who wrote Greek. Regardless, there is no doubt that the ancient Greek word for the limestone combined sárx, meaning "flesh," with a derivative of phagein, a verb meaning "to eat."

Examples of sarcophagus in a Sentence

the crypt under the abbey church contains the sarcophagus of the monastery's founding abbot
Recent Examples on the Web In the chamber lies a large stone sarcophagus adorned with depictions of goddesses and hieroglyphics meant to safeguard the dead. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 14 Nov. 2023 Swirling sands wrapped the dead trees in a natural sarcophagus. Veronique Greenwood, New York Times, 6 Feb. 2024 The sarcophagus may have belonged to a prominent individual based on where it was found, the Palestinian Ministry of Tourism and Antiquities’ director of excavation and museums, Jehad Yasin, told CNN on Thursday. Nadeen Ebrahim, CNN, 17 Feb. 2023 Similarly, a 40-year-old woman who lived during the second century C.E. was buried in a limestone sarcophagus in what is now Reims, France, with four oil lamps, a mirror, an amber ring, a comb and two glass vessels that may have once held scented oils. Meilan Solly, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Dec. 2023 Researchers don’t know the identity of the mystery woman found inside the sarcophagus. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2023 Archaeologists in France have discovered a limestone sarcophagus, undisturbed since its construction some 1,800 years ago. Julia Binswanger, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Oct. 2023 The sarcophagus of Ptahemwia, treasurer to Ramesses II, was found inscribed with emblems to Nut, who was likewise found in art uncovered at the temple of Esna, which also depicts the gods of the sun and the moon in the other world. Matthew Gavin Frank, Harper's Magazine, 21 Dec. 2022 The discovery of a second lead sarcophagus, which is engraved with dolphins, was announced last month. Teresa Nowakowski, Smithsonian Magazine, 2 Aug. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sarcophagus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin, after lapis sarcophagus "kind of stone with caustic properties used for coffins," partial translation of Greek líthos sarkóphagos, literally, "flesh-eating stone"; sarkóphagos from sarko- sarco- + -phagos -phagous

First Known Use

1619, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sarcophagus was in 1619

Podcast

Dictionary Entries Near sarcophagus

Cite this Entry

“Sarcophagus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sarcophagus. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

sarcophagus

noun
sar·​coph·​a·​gus sär-ˈkäf-ə-gəs How to pronounce sarcophagus (audio)
plural sarcophagi -ˌgī How to pronounce sarcophagus (audio)
-ˌjī,
-ˌgē
also sarcophaguses
: a stone coffin

More from Merriam-Webster on sarcophagus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!