Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
sarcophagus
noun
sahr-KOF-uh-guhs
Definition
A stone coffin, typically adorned with sculpture or inscriptions.
Examples
- The famous sarcophagus of Pharaoh Tutankhamun is an example of ancient Egyptian craftsmanship.
- Archaeologists discovered a sarcophagus in the burial site that dates back to the Roman Empire.
- The sarcophagus was intricately carved with scenes from mythology.
Meaning
The term sarcophagus comes from Latin and Greek origins, meaning ‘flesh-eating,’ referring to the way certain types of stone were believed to decompose flesh rapidly.
Synonyms
- coffin
- tomb
- crypt
