A.slaughter over or upon, esp. of sacrifices at a tomb, “κἄμ᾽ ἐπισφάξαι τάφῳ” E.Hec.505 ; πρόβατά τινι ἐ. sacrifice them to the dead, X.Cyr.7.3.7 (Pass.).
2. αἷμα μηλείου φόνου ἐ. shed the blood of slaughtered sheep over, E.El.92, cf. 281 ; “αἷμ᾽ ἐπισφάξας νέον” Id.Sthen.p.44A.:—Pass., “αἷμα ἀρτίως ἐπεσφαγμένον” Arist. Col.796a15.
II. kill upon or besides, “τρίτον θῦμ᾽ ὡς ἐπισφάξων δυοῖν” E.HF995, cf. X.An.1.8.29 (also ἑαυτὸν ἐπισφάξασθαι ibid.); “Ἀντώνιον ἐ. Καίσαρι” Plu.Brut.18 :—Pass., “ἐπεσφάγη τοῖς παισίν” J.BJ5.13. I, cf. Philostr.V A4.16.
III. dispatch, strike the death-blow, Thphr. ap. Porph.Abst. 2.30, Plu.Ant.76 : metaph., talk one to death, Luc.JTr.43.