epígrafe

epigraph

noun eh-PEE-grah-feh Rare

Origin: Greek epigraphē (inscription), from epi (upon) + graphein (to write).

Also means

inscription, heading

Usage Note

Epígrafe has two related uses: a short quotation placed at the start of a book or chapter to set its tone, and an inscription carved on a monument or building. In academic and literary Spanish the first sense is dominant. It should not be confused with epílogo (epilogue, the closing section of a text) — an epígrafe always comes before the main body. The accent on the first i marks it as an esdrújula.

Examples

"El autor eligió un epígrafe de Borges para su novela."

Natural Translation

The author chose an epigraph from Borges for his novel.

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