epitaph

from WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006)

epitaph
    n 1: an inscription on a tombstone or monument in memory of the
         person buried there
    2: a summary statement of commemoration for a dead person

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Epitaph \Ep"i*taph\, v. t.
   To commemorate by an epitaph. [R.]
   [1913 Webster]

         Let me be epitaphed the inventor of English hexameters.
                                                  --G. Harvey.
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from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Epitaph \Ep"i*taph\, v. i.
   To write or speak after the manner of an epitaph. [R.]
   [1913 Webster]

         The common in their speeches epitaph upon him . . . "He
         lived as a wolf and died as a dog."      --Bp. Hall.
   [1913 Webster]

from The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

Epitaph \Ep"i*taph\, n. [F. ['e]pitaphe, L. epitaphium a funeral
   oration, fr. Gr. ?, orig. an adj., over or at a tomb; 'epi`
   upon + ? tomb. Cf. {Cenotaph}.]
   1. An inscription on, or at, a tomb, or a grave, in memory or
      commendation of the one buried there; a sepulchral
      inscription.
      [1913 Webster]

            Hang her an epitaph upon her tomb.    --Shak.
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   2. A brief writing formed as if to be inscribed on a
      monument, as that concerning Alexander: "Sufficit huic
      tumulus, cui non sufficeret orbis."
      [1913 Webster]

from The Devil's Dictionary (1881-1906)

EPITAPH, n.  An inscription on a tomb, showing that virtues acquired
by death have a retroactive effect.  Following is a touching example:

    Here lie the bones of Parson Platt,
    Wise, pious, humble and all that,
    Who showed us life as all should live it;
    Let that be said -- and God forgive it!