Emily Dickinson Lexicon

EP-I-CY-CLOID'AL, a.

Pertaining to the epicycloid, or having its properties. Encyc.

EP-I-DEM'IC, or EP-I-DEM'IC-AL, a. [Gr. επι and δημος, people.]

1. Common to many people. An epidemic disease is one which, independent of local cause, seizes a great number of people, at the same time, or in the same season. Thus we speak of epidemic fever; epidemic catarrh. It is used in distinction from endemic.
2. Generally prevailing; affecting great numbers; as, epidemic rage; an epidemic evil.

EP-I-DEM'IC, n.

A popular disease; a disease generally prevalent, but not dependent upon any local cause. The influenza of October and November, 1789, that of March and April, 1790, that of the winter 1824-5, and that of 1825-6, were very severe epidemics.

EP'I-DEM-Y, n.

A prevailing, common, or general disease, not dependent on local causes. Barlow.

EP-I-DERM'IC, or EP-I-DERM'ID-AL, a.

Pertaining to the cuticle; covering the skin. The epidermic texture. Kirwan.

EP-I-DERM'IS, n. [Gr. επιδερμις; επι and δερμα, skin.]

In anatomy, the cuticle or scarf-skin of the body; a thin membrane covering the skin of animals, or the bark of plants. Encyc. Martyn.

EP'I-DOTE, n. [from Gr. επιδιδωμι; so named from the enlargement of the base of the primary, in some of the secondary forms.]

A mineral of a green or gray color, vitreous luster, and partial transparency. The primary form of the crystals is a right rhomboidal prism. Zoisite is a variety of Epidote.

EP-I-DOT'IC, a.

Pertaining to epidote, or containing it. Hitchcock.

EP-I-GAS'TRIC, a. [Gr. επι and γαστηρ, belly.]

Pertaining to the upper and anterior part of the abdomen; as, the epigastric region; the epigastric arteries and veins. Quincy.

EP'I-GEE, or EP-I-GE'UM, n. [See PERIGEE.]

EP'I-GLOT, or EP-I-GLOT'TIS, n. [Gr. επιγλωττις; επι and γλωττα, the tongue.]

In anatomy, one of the cartilages of the larynx, whose use is to protect the glottis, when food or drink is passing into the stomach, to prevent it from entering the larynx and obstructing the breath. Quincy.

EP'I-GRAM, n. [Gr. επιγραμμα, inscription; επι and γραμμα, a writing.]

A short poem treating only of one thing, and ending in some lively, ingenious, and natural thought. Conciseness and point form the beauty of epigrams. Epigrams were originally inscriptions on tombs, statues, temples, triumphal arches, &c. Encyc.

EP-I-GRAM-MAT'IC, or EP-I-GRAM-MAT'IC-AL, a.

1. Writing epigrams; dealing in epigrams; as, an epigrammatic poet.
2. Suitable to epigrams; belonging to epigrams; like an epigram; concise; pointed; poignant; as, epigrammatic style or wit.

EP-I-GRAM'MA-TIST, n.

One who composes epigrams, or deals in them. Martial was a noted epigrammatist.

EP'I-GRAPH, n. [Gr. επιγραφη; επι and γραφω, to write.]

Among antiquaries, an inscription on a building pointing out the time of its erection, the builders, its uses, &c. Encyc.

E-PIG'Y-NOUS, a. [Gr. επι and γυνη.]

In botany, when the stamens are united both with the surface of the calyx and of the ovary. [Obs.] Lindley.

EP'I-LEP-SY, n. [Gr. επιληψια, from επιλαμβανω, to seize.]

The falling sickness, so called because the patient falls suddenly to the ground; a disease characterized by general muscular agitation, occasioned by clonic spasms, without sensation or consciousness, and commonly recurring at intervals. Good.

EP-I-LEP'TIC, a.

Pertaining to the falling sickness; affected with epilepsy; consisting of epilepsy.

EP-I-LEP'TIC, n.

One affected with epilepsy.

EP'I-LO-GISM, n. [Gr. επιλογισμος.]

Computation; enumeration. Gregory.

EP-I-LO-GIS'TIC, a.

Pertaining to epilogue; of the nature of an epilogue.

EP'I-LOGUE, n. [ep'ilog; L. epilogus, from Gr. επιλογος, conclusion; επιλεγω, to conclude; επι and λεγω, to speak.]

1. In oratory, a conclusion; the closing part of a discourse, in which the principal matters are recapitulated. Encyc.
2. In the drama, a speech or short poem addressed to the spectators by one of the actors, after the conclusion of the play.

EP'I-LO-GUIZE, or EP'I-LO-GIZE, v.i.

To pronounce an epilogue.

EP'I-LO-GUIZE, v.t.

To add to, in the manner of an epilogue.

EP-I-NI'CION, n. [Gr. επινικιον; επι and νικαω, to conquer.]

A song of triumph. [Not in use.] Warton.