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Webster 1913 Edition
Sarcophagus
Sar-coph′a-gus
,Noun.
pl. L.
Sarcophagi
(#)
, E. Sarcophaguses
(#)
. 1.
A species of limestone used among the Greeks for making coffins, which was so called because it consumed within a few weeks the flesh of bodies deposited in it. It is otherwise called
lapis Assius
, or Assian stone
, and is said to have been found at Assos, a city of Lycia. Holland.
2.
A coffin or chest-shaped tomb of the kind of stone described above; hence, any stone coffin.
3.
A stone shaped like a sarcophagus and placed by a grave as a memorial.
Webster 1828 Edition
Sarcophagus
SARCOPH'AGUS
,Noun.
1.
A species of stone used among the Greeks in their sculptures, which was so called because it consumed the flesh of bodies deposited in it within a few weeks. It is otherwise called lapis Assius, and said to be found at Assos, a city of Lycia Hence,2.
A stone coffin or grave in which the ancients deposited bodies which they chose not to burn.