sarcophagus
noun
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Body-eating coffins might sound like something out of a horror film, but flesh-eating stone? The latter plays a role in the etymology of sarcophagus; it is the literal translation of líthos sarkóphagos, the Greek phrase that underlies the English term. The phrase traveled through Latin between Greek and English, taking on the form lapis sarcophagus before being shortened to sarcophagus. It's not clear whether the ancient Romans believed that a certain type of limestone from the region around Troy would dissolve flesh (and thus was desirable for making coffins); that assertion came from Roman scholar Pliny the Elder, but he also reported such phenomena as dog-headed people and elephants who wrote Greek. Regardless, there is no doubt that the ancient Greek word for the limestone traces back to a combination of sárx, meaning "flesh," and a derivative of phagein, a verb meaning "to eat."
Examples of sarcophagus in a Sentence
Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN, 14 Feb. 2025
One such sarcophagus belonged to a noblewoman named Ir-Aset-Udjat, whose coffin was ornately decorated with images and text that granted her food and drink in the afterlife.
—Sarah Everts, Smithsonian Magazine, 13 Feb. 2025
The sarcophagus found inside the tomb was also inscribed with the name of its occupant and his titles, according to the post.
—Irene Wright, Miami Herald, 6 Jan. 2025
Excavations at Herodium, the king’s lavish palace complex south of Jerusalem, revealed hundreds of red limestone fragments—perhaps pieces of the king’s sarcophagus.
—Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Jan. 2025
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Cite this Entry
“Sarcophagus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sarcophagus. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
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sarcophagus
noun
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