[L. epiphōnēma, a. Gr. ἐπιφώνημα, f. ἐπιφωνέειν to call to, f. ἐπί upon + φωνέειν to speak out, f. φωνή voice.]
1. Rhet. An exclamatory sentence or striking reflection, which sums up or concludes a discourse or a passage in the discourse.
1579. E. K., Gloss. Spenser’s Sheph. Cal., May, 304. Such end, is an Epiphonema, or rather the moral of the whole tale.
1622. Peacham, Compl. Gentl. (1634), 80. What excellent Allegories…; what Epiphonema’s.
1659. Hammond, On Ps. cxlv. 17. Annot. 700/2. Witness that solemn Epiphonema, His mercy endureth for ever.
1727. Pope, etc. Art Sinking, 115. The epiphonema or exclamation [may be learned] frequently from the bear-garden.
1870. trans. Lange’s Comm. Song of Sol. iii. 5. The epiphonema to the daughters of Jerusalem has a subordinate significance as a refrain.
b. transf.
1664. Evelyn, Sylva (1776), 649. Those who may take these wonders for a florid Epiphonema only of this work.
2. (See quots.)
1654. H. L’Estrange, Chas. I. (1655), 99. The House gave their Epiphonema and applause at every close and period.
1657. J. Smith, Myst. Rhet., 143. Epiphonema,… Acclamation, or a shouting of the voyce.
1678–96. in Phillips.
Hence Epiphonematical a., of the nature of an epiphonema. Epiphonematically adv., in the manner of an epiphonema.
a. 1617. Bayne, Diocesan’s Trial (1621), 3. Christ in his Epiphonematicall conclusion … doth speake of the same.
1644. C. Jessop, Angel of Ephesus, 12. The Epiphonematicall sentence which is added at the end of each Epistle.
1605. T. Hutton, in Hieron’s Def. (1607), I. 161. Taking the word Iacob nominatively, vocatively, or epiphonematically.
