epigraphy

noun

epig·​ra·​phy i-ˈpi-grə-fē How to pronounce epigraphy (audio)
e-
1
2
: the study of inscriptions
especially : the deciphering of ancient inscriptions

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web But his forays into epigraphy were perhaps less accomplished and won him mostly skepticism and ridicule from the scientific community. Stephen C. George, Discover Magazine, 3 Feb. 2021 The specialists hailed not just from the field of archaeology, but also from several disciplines, including geology; archaeobotany, the study of ancient plants; epigraphy, the study of inscriptions, and numismatics, the study of ancient coins. Patrick Smith, NBC News, 8 Nov. 2022 The team tested the system by comparing Pythia's results on completing 2,949 inscriptions with those of Oxford graduate students in epigraphy. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 10 Mar. 2022

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'epigraphy.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Word History

Etymology

epigraph + -y entry 2

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of epigraphy was in 1851

Dictionary Entries Near epigraphy

Cite this Entry

“Epigraphy.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epigraphy. Accessed 29 Mar. 2023.

More from Merriam-Webster on epigraphy

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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


What Did You Just Call Me?

  • brown chihuahua sitting on the floor with squinting eyes looking at the camera
  • Before we went to her house, Hannah told us her aunt was a flibbertigibbet.
Name That Thing

You know what it looks like… but what is it called?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can with using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.

Can you make 12 words with 7 letters?

PLAY