Quotation at the start of a chapter

• Monument inscription
• Introductory quotation
• A quotation at the beginning of some piece of writing
• Opening comment, say, about page 1: 'Page enveloped in cheer'

Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English Word definitions in Longman Dictionary of Contemporary English
noun EXAMPLES FROM CORPUS ▪ The text, quoted in the epigraph to this chapter, foresees the reestablishment of a renewed and glorious Jerusalem.

WordNet Word definitions in WordNet
n. a quotation at the beginning of some piece of writing an engraved inscription

Wikipedia Word definitions in Wikipedia
In literature , an epigraph is a phrase, quotation , or poem that is set at the beginning of a document or component. The epigraph may serve as a preface, as a summary, as a counter-example, or to link the work to a wider literary canon , either to invite ...

Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary Word definitions in Douglas Harper's Etymology Dictionary
1620s, "inscription on a building, statue, etc.," from Greek epigraphe "an inscription," from epigraphein "to mark the surface, just pierce; write on, inscribe; to register; inscribe one's name, endorse," from epi "on" (see epi- ) + graphein "to write" ...

Wiktionary Word definitions in Wiktionary
n. 1 an inscription, especially one on a building. 2 a literary quotation placed at the beginning of a book or other text. 3 (context mathematics of a function English) the set of all points lying on or above the function's graph.