trilithon

[ trahy-lith-on, trahy-luh-thon ]

/ traɪˈlɪθ ɒn, ˈtraɪ ləˈθɒn /

noun

a prehistoric structure consisting of two upright stones supporting a horizontal stone.

Nearby words

trilemma, trilinear, trilingual, triliteral, triliteralism, trilithon, trill, trilling, trilling, lionel, trillion, trillionaire

Also tri·lith

[trahy-lith] /ˈtraɪ lɪθ/.

Origin of trilithon

1730–40; < Greek trílithon, neuter of trílithos having three stones. See tri-, -lith

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for trilithon

One upright of the great Trilithon (raised and made secure in 1901) is erect.
Stonehenge|Frank Stevens
He took the boy across to the trilithon, and made him kneel down.
A Changed Man and Other Tales|Thomas Hardy
He then went a second time to the hollow behind the trilithon, remaining there nearly a quarter of an hour.
A Changed Man and Other Tales|Thomas Hardy
The building of the group was continuous and no gap separates the Trilithon from the foreign upright.
Stonehenge|Frank Stevens

There is a rude circle of menhirs at the site, with a trilithon or dolmen on one side.
Palestine|Claude Reignier Conder

British Dictionary definitions for trilithon

trilithon

trilith (ˈtraɪlɪθ)

/ (traɪˈlɪθɒn, ˈtraɪlɪˌθɒn) /

noun

a structure consisting of two upright stones with a third placed across the top, such as those of Stonehenge

Derived Formstrilithic (traɪˈlɪθɪk), adjective

Word Origin for trilithon

C18: from Greek; see tri-, -lith

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012