sarcophagus
Sarcophagus (noun) means a stone coffin, often elaborately carved or inscribed, used especially in ancient burial customs. Example: “The pharaoh's sarcophagus was covered in gold hieroglyphics.”
How to use sarcophagus
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA carved stone coffin, or by extension, a large protective shell built to contain something dangerous.
Word forms
sarcophagused past tense, sarcophagi plural, sarcophaguses plural, sarcophagusses plural, sarcophaguses singular
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The pharaoh's _____ was covered in gold hieroglyphics.
Etymology
From Latin "sarcophagus," from Greek "sarkophagos," literally "flesh-eating" — originally describing a type of limestone believed to dissolve the flesh of corpses, later used for stone coffins.
Rhymes for sarcophagus
See all rhymes for sarcophagus →Frequently asked questions
What does “sarcophagus” mean?
The word “sarcophagus” means a stone coffin, often elaborately carved or inscribed, used especially in ancient burial customs. In plain terms, a carved stone coffin, or by extension, a large protective shell built to contain something dangerous.
How do you pronounce “sarcophagus”?
“Sarcophagus” is pronounced sah-KO-fuh-guhs (/sɑɹˈkɑfəɡəs/ in IPA).
How do you use “sarcophagus” in a sentence?
Here is “sarcophagus” used in a sentence: “The pharaoh's sarcophagus was covered in gold hieroglyphics.”
What part of speech is “sarcophagus”?
“Sarcophagus” is a noun.
Where does the word “sarcophagus” come from?
The word “sarcophagus” comes from Latin. From Latin "sarcophagus," from Greek "sarkophagos," literally "flesh-eating" — originally describing a type of limestone believed to dissolve the flesh of corpses, later used for stone coffins.
How many meanings does “sarcophagus” have?
“Sarcophagus” has 2 distinct senses listed in this dictionary. The most common is: a stone coffin, often elaborately carved or inscribed, used especially in ancient burial customs.