dolmen

/'dɔlmen/

Thân thiện

A dolmen stands on a grassy hill under a clear blue sky.

Definition

Noun: 1. A prehistoric megalithic tomb: A dolmen is a type of ancient structure, typically consisting of two or more large upright stones supporting a large, flat horizontal capstone. These structures were used as burial chambers or tombs in prehistoric times, particularly during the Neolithic period.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • Archaeologists discovered a well-preserved dolmen in the Irish countryside.
  • The dolmen, with its massive capstone, is thought to be over 5,000 years old.
  • Many dolmens in the region are considered sacred sites.

Advanced Usage

• "Dolmen" in archaeology: The term is used specifically in archaeology and history to describe a distinct class of megalithic monument.
  • The study focused on the construction techniques of European dolmens.

Variants and Related Words

• Cromlech: (n) A term sometimes used interchangeably with "dolmen," particularly in certain regions, to refer to a prehistoric stone circle or a dolmen-like structure.
• Menhir: (n) A large, single upright standing stone, often found in proximity to dolmens or other megalithic sites.
• Megalith: (n) A large stone used to construct a structure or monument, either alone or with other stones. Dolmens are a type of megalithic structure.

Synonyms

• Portal tomb: A synonym often used in archaeological contexts, describing the tomb's typical structure with an entrance.
• Stone table: A descriptive, non-technical term sometimes used for dolmens due to their table-like appearance.

Related Phrases

• Dolmen field: (n) An area containing a group or concentration of dolmens.
  • The dolmen field was a significant archaeological find.

Related Idioms

(There are no common idioms directly incorporating the word "dolmen." It is a specific technical term.)

Học thuật

Noun

1. a prehistoric megalithic tomb typically having two large upright stones and a capstone

Từ đồng nghĩa

• cromlech
• portal tomb