epigraphy

noun

epig·​ra·​phy i-ˈpi-grə-fē 

e-

1

: epigraphs, inscriptions

2

: the study of inscriptions

especially : the deciphering of ancient inscriptions

Examples of epigraphy in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Epigraphik, which publishes research related to papyrology and epigraphy from classical antiquity. — Leslie Katz, Forbes.com, 26 Aug. 2025

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

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

Word History

Etymology

epigraph + -y entry 2

First Known Use

1851, in the meaning defined at sense 1