epigraph
noun
ep·i·graph ˈe-pə-ˌgraf 
1
: an engraved inscription
2
: a quotation set at the beginning of a literary work or one of its divisions to suggest its theme
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web Irulan is mentioned on the very first page of the novel Dune (her historical writings from decades in the future of the book's events provide an epigraph for almost every chapter), but was absent from last year's film. 
Christian Holub, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2022 Philip Roth died three years ago, on May 22, 2018, and those instructions to his biographer provide Blake Bailey with his epigraph. Michael Gorra, The New York Review of Books, 23 Mar. 2021 When Teigen posted an Instagram photo of the epigraph on December 2, 2020, Whitaker knew things were about to shift in her life, as well as Teigen’s. Michelle Konstantinovsky, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2021 That’s the epigraph to Penelope Fitzgerald’s astounding short novel, written toward the end of her life about the beginning of his. Hermione Lee, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2021 This declaration might be read as an epigraph for all three books. David L. Ulin, Harper's Magazine, 24 Nov. 2020 Maybe the instructor has included a stirring epigraph or a striking image to distinguish theirs from all the others. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2020 Some critics have wondered about this, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt, whom O’Farrell quotes in an epigraph. Diane Scharper, National Review, 20 Aug. 2020 The essay wears an epigraph from Virgil: Deus nobis haec otia fecit. Maggie Nelson, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2020 See More
Christian Holub, EW.com, 8 Mar. 2022 Philip Roth died three years ago, on May 22, 2018, and those instructions to his biographer provide Blake Bailey with his epigraph. Michael Gorra, The New York Review of Books, 23 Mar. 2021 When Teigen posted an Instagram photo of the epigraph on December 2, 2020, Whitaker knew things were about to shift in her life, as well as Teigen’s. Michelle Konstantinovsky, Vogue, 27 Jan. 2021 That’s the epigraph to Penelope Fitzgerald’s astounding short novel, written toward the end of her life about the beginning of his. Hermione Lee, WSJ, 15 Jan. 2021 This declaration might be read as an epigraph for all three books. David L. Ulin, Harper's Magazine, 24 Nov. 2020 Maybe the instructor has included a stirring epigraph or a striking image to distinguish theirs from all the others. Hua Hsu, The New Yorker, 22 Oct. 2020 Some critics have wondered about this, including the Pulitzer Prize–winning Shakespeare scholar Stephen Greenblatt, whom O’Farrell quotes in an epigraph. Diane Scharper, National Review, 20 Aug. 2020 The essay wears an epigraph from Virgil: Deus nobis haec otia fecit. Maggie Nelson, The New Yorker, 6 Apr. 2020 See More Word History
Etymology
borrowed from Greek epigraphḗ "act of inscribing, inscription," noun of action from epigráphein "to mark the surface of, graze, scratch a mark on, inscribe" — more at epigram
First Known Use
1624, in the meaning defined at sense 1