word
sarcophagus
sar-KOF-ah-gus
sɑːrˈkɒfəɡəsListen
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Syllable breakdown
sarcophagus
Dictionary meaning
A stone coffin, typically adorned with a sculpture or inscription and placed in a tomb or buried above ground.
History and origin
Latin, from Greek — 'sarx' (flesh) + 'phagein' (to eat) — referring to limestone that was believed to consume flesh.
Examples
- The pharaoh's mummified body was placed inside a gilded sarcophagus.
Common mispronunciations
sar-KOF-uh-gusSARK-oh-fah-gus
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