dolmen
See also: dólmen
English
A dolmen in Portugal.
Etymology
Borrowed from French dolmen. Perhaps incorrectly fabricated from Breton taol maen (taol (“table”) + maen (“stone”)) (the correct compound would be *taolvaen, not *daolmaen[1]). See also menhir.
Pronunciation
- (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈdɒl.mɛn/
- (General American) IPA(key): /ˈdoʊl.mən/, /ˈdɑl.mən/
Noun
dolmen (plural dolmens)
- A prehistoric megalithic tomb consisting of a capstone supported by two or more upright stones, most having originally been covered with earth or smaller stones to form a barrow.
- More generally, any megalithic tomb, including passage graves and wedge tombs.
Usage notes
Not to be confused with dolman.
Synonyms
- cromlech
- portal tomb
Translations
tomb consisting of a capstone supported by two or more upright stones
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Homonyms
References
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