a. rare. [f. Gr. ἐπιτάφι-ος (see EPITAPH) + -AL 1.] Contained in sepulchral inscriptions.
1862. Lowell, Biglow P., Ser. II. 96. I cannot conceive that the epitaphial assertions of heathens should be esteemed of more authority.
So Epitaphian a., † a. (of a speech) delivered on the occasion of a funeral (obs.); b. pertaining or appropriate to an epitaph.
1641. Milton, Animadv., Wks. (1847), 64/2. To imitate the noble Pericles in his Epitaphian speech … falls into a pittifull condolement.
1852. Blackw. Mag., LXXI. 724. But now to Vincent Bourne’s epitaphian conciseness.
Also Epitaphic, Epitaphical, adjs., pertaining to, or of the nature of, an epitaph. Epitaphist, a writer of epitaphs. Epitaphize v. trans., to write an epitaph upon. Epitaphless a.
1883. St. James’s Gaz., 15 Feb., 5. The death of Wagner has given occasion to some startling *epitaphic passages in the German papers.
1577–87. Holinshed, Chron., III. 1243/2. I will here deliuer such *epitaphicall verses as I haue found touching king Edward the first.
1883. Sat. Rev., LVI. 108. After some preliminary praise, the *epitaphist works himself up to a grand effort, thus.
a. 1843. Southey, Comm.-pl. Bk., Ser. II. (1849), 210/2. The Conde de Salinas *epitaphized him.
1883. P. Robinson, Some Poets’ Dogs. Cowper … epitaphises Sir John Throckmorton’s pointer.
a. 1839. Galt, Demon Dest., II. (1840), 10. The *epitaphless pyramids.
