cairn
/keən/
Definition
Noun: 1. A mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path: A cairn is a human-made pile of stones, often used historically and in modern times as a landmark, trail marker, burial monument, or memorial site. 2. A small rough-haired breed of terrier from Scotland: Cairn Terrier is a specific breed of small dog originating from Scotland, originally bred for hunting among cairns and rocky terrain.
Usage
- Cairns are commonly found on mountain summits, along hiking trails, and in open landscapes to guide travelers.
- The word is used to describe both the physical stone structure and the specific dog breed. Context usually makes the meaning clear.
Examples
- As a stone mound:
- Hikers built a small cairn at the summit to mark their achievement.
- Follow the path of cairns to stay on the trail across the moor.
- Ancient cairns in the field are believed to be burial sites.
- As a dog breed:
- Their Cairn is very energetic and loves to dig.
- The Cairn Terrier has a distinctive shaggy coat.
Advanced Usage
- Cairn can be used metaphorically to represent a lasting marker or legacy.
- His groundbreaking research stands as a cairn in the field of biology.
Variants and Related Words
- Cairned (adj): Marked by or having cairns.
- The cairned ridge guided them safely.
- Cairn Terrier (n): The full name of the dog breed.
Synonyms
- For the stone mound: stone pile, mound, marker, memorial pile.
- For the dog breed: Cairn Terrier.
Idioms and Phrases
- To add a stone to someone's cairn: To praise or honor someone after their death; to contribute to their lasting legacy or memory.
- The biography adds a stone to the great author's cairn.
Noun
-
small rough-haired breed of terrier from Scotland
-
a mound of stones piled up as a memorial or to mark a boundary or path
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