ep|i|gram

ep|i|gram «EHP uh gram», noun.

1. a short, pointed, or witty saying. Examples: “Speech is silver, but silence is golden.” “The only way to get rid of a temptation is to yield to it” (Oscar Wilde).

2. a short poem ending in a witty or clever, and often a satirical, turn of thought.Example:

“Here lies our sovereign lord, the king,

Whose word no man relies on,

Who never said a foolish thing,

Nor ever did a wise one.”

3. epigrammatic expression.

4. Obsolete. an inscription.

╂[< Latin epigramma < Greek epígramma < epigrcaphein < epi- on + gráphein write]

Usage epigrams. An epigram is a short, pointed, or witty saying. A special type of epigram is the paradox, which makes a statement that, as it stands, contradicts fact or common sense or itself, and yet suggests a truth or at least a half truth: »

All generalizations are false, including this one.

Closely related to epigrams are aphorisms—pithy statements, but more likely to be abstract and not necessarily witty: »

Fools rush in where angels fear to tread.

Proverbs are the often-quoted, concrete expressions of popular wisdom. They are likely to make observations on character or conduct: »

Still waters run deep. A rolling stone gathers no moss.