megalith
nounUK /ˈmɛɡəlɪθ/ · US /ˈmɛɡəˌlɪθ/
Etymology PIE word *méǵh₂s From mega- (prefix meaning ‘very large, great’) + -lith (suffix meaning ‘stone’), a back-formation from megalithic probably modelled after monolith. from Ancient Greek λίθος (líthos, “stone”)
1
Archaeology, History, Human sciences, Sciences A large stone slab making up a prehistoric monument, or part of such a monument.
2
Archaeology, History, Human sciences, Sciences A prehistoric monument made up of one or more large stones.
3
Broadly A large stone or block of stone used in the construction of a modern structure.
- Derived terms
- megalithical, megalithically, megalithism
- Related terms
- megalithic, menhir, microlith, monolith, polylith, Stonehenge
- Hyponyms
- orthostat, standing stone, talayot
- Holonyms
- dolmen