henge

[ henj ]

noun

, Archaeology.

1. a Neolithic monument of the British Isles, consisting of a circular area enclosed by a bank and ditch and often containing additional features including one or more circles of upright stone or wood pillars: probably used for ritual purposes or for marking astronomical events, as solstices and equinoxes.

henge

/ hɛndʒ /

noun

1. a circular area, often containing a circle of stones or sometimes wooden posts, dating from the Neolithic and Bronze Ages

Word History and Origins

Origin of henge¹

1730–40; back formation from Stonehenge, Middle English Stanenges, Stanheng, equivalent to stan stone + -heng, probably originally “something hanging”; hinge

Word History and Origins

Origin of henge¹

back formation from Stonehenge

Example Sentences

Each hole is spaced roughly the same distance from the central henge at Durrington Walls.

From Science News For Students

Take away Stone-henge from Salisbury plain, and it is nothing more than Hounslow heath, or any other unenclosed down.

From Project Gutenberg

Ah, from Henge, said Perior, looking at the end of the letter.

From Project Gutenberg

She is very lovely, Lady Henge said with an irrepressible sigh.

From Project Gutenberg

He might not approve of Camelia, but that Lady Henge should disapprove nettled him.

From Project Gutenberg

You accepted Arthur Henge yesterday, and to-day you give him his cong.

From Project Gutenberg