trilithon

American  

[trahy-lith-on, trahy-luh-thon] / traɪˈlɪθ ɒn, ˈtraɪ ləˈθɒn /

Also trilith

noun

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

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trilithon British  

/ traɪˈlɪθɒn, ˈtraɪlɪθ, ˈtraɪlɪˌθɒn, traɪˈlɪθɪk /

noun

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

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Other Word Forms

• trilithic adjective

Etymology

Origin of trilithon

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

Example Sentences

The monument pre-dates, by around 500 years, the huge trilithon stones at Stonehenge, which align to the winter and summer solstices.

From Nature

The bizarre course of events unfolded in 1958 when archaeologists were trying to raise a fallen trilithon – two of Stonehenge’s vertical stones supporting a third horizontal stone.

From Fox News

In 1958 archaeologists raised an entire fallen trilithon - a set of three large stones, consisting of two that would have stood upright with the third placed horizontally across the top.

From BBC

Rowland Allen and his family visited Stonehenge in 1955, three years before the large trilithon stone was re-erected.

From BBC

“The midwinter sun sets between the two upright stones of the great trilithon.”

From Time