Definition: Sarcophagus refers to the carved, generally stone case in which the linen-wrapped mummy was placed. The gilded sarcophagus of King Tut with painted face depicting the boy king is probably the best known of the Egyptian sarcophagi.
Sarcophagus can be used to refer to a coffin -- especially one of stone.
The plural of sarcophagus is usually sarcophagi, although it is sometimes written as sarcophaguses. Sarcophagus comes from the Greek for flesh-eater.
Pronunciation: särkof'ugus• (n)
Also Known As: Mummy Case
