Epigene, ep′i-jēn, adj. applied to the geological agents of change which affect chiefly the superficial position of the earth's crust, as the atmosphere, water, &c.—adjs. Epig′enous, growing on the surface of a part; Epigē′ous, growing on the earth—also Epigē′al. [Gr. epi, upon, gennaein, to produce.]
Epigenesis, ep-i-jen′e-sis, n. the development of the organism by the growth and differentiation of a single germ—i.e. by the division or segmentation of a fertilised egg-cell.—n. Epigen′esist.—adj. Epigenet′ic. [Gr. epi, upon, genesis, genesis.]
Epiglottis, ep-i-glot′is, n. the cartilage at the root of the tongue that partly closes the aperture of the larynx.—adj. Epiglott′ic. [Gr. epi, upon, glōtta (glōssa), the tongue.]
Epigram, ep′i-gram, n. any concise and pointed or sarcastic saying: a short poem on one subject ending with an ingenious thought.—adjs. Epigrammat′ic, -al, relating to or dealing in epigrams: like an epigram: concise and pointed.—adv. Epigrammat′ically.—v.t. Epigram′matise, to make an epigram on.—n. Epigram′matist, one who writes epigrams. [Through Fr. and L., from Gr. epigramma—epi, upon, gramma, a writing—graphein, to write.]
Epigraph, ep′i-graf, n. an inscription, esp. on a building: a citation or motto at the commencement of a book or its parts.—v.t. to provide with an epigraph.—ns. Epig′rapher, Epig′raphist.—adj. Epigraph′ic.—n. Epig′raphy. [Gr. epi-graphē—epi, upon, graphein, to write.]
Epigynous, e-pij′i-nus, adj. (bot.) growing upon the top of the ovary.
Epilepsy, ep′i-lep-si, n. a chronic functional disease of the nervous system, manifested by recurring attacks of sudden insensibility or impairment of consciousness, commonly accompanied by peculiar convulsive seizures.—n. Epilep′tic, an epileptic patient.—adjs. Epilep′tic, -al; Epilep′toid. [Gr. epilepsia—epi, upon, lambanein, lēpsesthai, to seize.]
Epilogue, ep′i-log, n. the conclusion of a book: a speech or short poem at the end of a play.—adjs. Epilog′ic (-loj′ik), Epilogis′tic.—v.i. Epil′ogise (′o-jīz), to write an epilogue. [Fr.—L.—Gr. epilogos, conclusion—epi, upon, legein, to speak.]
Epinasty, ep′i-nas-ti, n. (bot.) curvature of an organ, caused by a more active growth on its upper side.—adj. Epinas′tic.—adv. Epinas′tically.
Epiperipheral, ep-i-pe-rif′e-ral, adj. situated on the periphery or outer surface of the body.