EPIGNATHOUS
E*pig"na*thous, a. Etym: [Epi- + Gr. (Zoöl.)
Defn: Hook-billed; having the upper mandible longer than the lower.
EPIGRAM
Ep"i*gram, n. Etym: [L. epigramma, fr. Gr. épigramme. See Graphic.]
1. A short poem treating concisely and pointedly of a single thought or event. The modern epigram is so contrived as to surprise the reader with a witticism or ingenious turn of thought, and is often satirical in character. Dost thou think I care for a satire or an epigram Shak.
Note: Epigrams were originally inscription on tombs, statues, temples, triumphal arches, etc.
2. An effusion of wit; a bright thought tersely and sharply expressed, whether in verse or prose.
3. The style of the epigram. Antithesis, i. e., bilateral stroke, is the soul of epigram in its later and technical signification. B. Cracroft.
EPIGRAMMATIC; EPIGRAMMATICAL
Ep`i*gram*mat"ic, Ep`i*gram*mat"ic*al,Etym: [L. epigrammaticus: cf.
F. épigrammatique.]
1. Writing epigrams; dealing in epigrams; as, an epigrammatical poet.
2. Suitable to epigrams; belonging to epigrams; like an epigram; pointed; piquant; as, epigrammatic style, wit, or sallies of fancy.