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Epigram

Form
Pronunciation

Understanding ARPABET Pronunciation

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The pronunciation guide uses the ARPABET phonetic system—the same system used in speech recognition and text-to-speech applications.

Vowel Examples:
AE1 = cat, bat
EH1 = bed, head
IY1 = see, me
OW1 = go, boat
UW1 = boot, do
Stress Numbers:
0 = no stress (unstressed)
1 = primary stress (loud)
2 = secondary stress (medium)
Example:
AH0 TH IY1 N AH0
= a-THEE-na (Athena)

The stressed syllable (marked with 1) is pronounced louder and clearer than others.

Quick Definition

A concise, often satirical poem that delivers a pointed observation or twist, typically ending with a witty or ironic punchline.

Detailed Definition
Epigram is a short, witty, and often satirical poem that delivers a pointed observation or twist in a concise form; originating in Greek inscriptions, it flourished in Roman hands (Martial) and English verse (Pope), relying on brevity, irony, and a sharp final line for maximum impact.
Example
Example in poetry:
Sreng appears as the Fir Bolg champion who fought Nuada at the first Battle of Moytura; Poets use Sreng's combat with Nuada, where he struck off the god's hand, to explore mortal power against divine; His role as representative of the defeated yet honored Fir Bolg provides material for poems about dignity in loss; Sreng's later offer of peace and the province of Connacht creates verses about magnanimity and compromise; In contemporary poetry, Sreng represents the conquered who negotiate rather than face extermination; Modern verse explores through him how enemies can find mutual respect in combat
Additional Notes
Epigram is a short, witty poem ending with a punchline or twist, often satirical; derived from Greek inscriptions, it values concision, cleverness, and memorability (e.g., poems by Martial or Dickinson).
Also Known As
Brief witty poem Concise verse Pointed saying Pithy inscription Épigramme
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