dolmen

[ dohl-men, -muhn, dol- ]

noun

, Archaeology.

1. a structure usually regarded as a tomb, consisting of two or more large, upright stones set with a space between and capped by a horizontal stone.

dolmen

/ ˈdɒlmɛn /

noun

1. (in British archaeology) a Neolithic stone formation, consisting of a horizontal stone supported by several vertical stones, and thought to be a tomb
2. (in French archaeology) any megalithic tomb

Other Words From

• dol·men·ic [dohl-, men, -ik, dol-], adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolmen¹

First recorded in 1855–60; from French, from Cornish, form of tolmen “hole of stone” (taken by French archaeologists to mean cromlech ), from toll “hole” (compare Irish toll, Welsh twll ) + men “stone” ( menhir ); alternatively, perhaps from a corruption of Breton taol “table” (from Latin tabula; table ) + maen “stone”

Word History and Origins

Origin of dolmen¹

C19: from French, probably from Old Breton tol table, from Latin tabula board + Breton mēn stone, of Celtic origin; see table

Example Sentences

Near the station of Sens, in France, there is a curious dolmen, on one of whose upright stones or props are carved two human feet.

From Project Gutenberg

Grey dolmen and grey menhir already stand there, by the last shores, memorials of his destiny.

From Project Gutenberg

The custom of burning the body commenced in the Stone Age, before the long barrow or the dolmen had passed out of use.

From Project Gutenberg

A brown shadow moved in the bracken near the dolmen, a brown face peered with infinite caution, round a flank of the great stones.

From Project Gutenberg

Occasionally legend assists us to prove the mortuary character of menhir and dolmen.

From Project Gutenberg