Definition

Noun: A wall constructed by carefully stacking stones together without using any mortar or other binding material to hold them in place. The stability of the wall relies entirely on the skill of the builder in selecting and fitting the stones.

Usage

A "dry-stone wall" is a specific type of wall, typically found in rural landscapes, used for purposes such as marking field boundaries, creating terraces, or enclosing livestock. It is a permanent structure despite the lack of mortar.

Examples

• Noun:
  • The farmer repaired the ancient dry-stone wall that bordered his pasture.
  • Hiking trails in the region often wind past miles of picturesque dry-stone walls.
  • Building a dry-stone wall requires patience and a good eye for choosing the right stone.

Advanced Usage

• "dry-stone walling": The craft or activity of building dry-stone walls.
  • He took a course in dry-stone walling to help preserve the traditional landscape.

Variants and Related Words

• Dry stone walling (n): The technique or practice of building walls without mortar.
• Drystone (adj): Used to describe a wall or structure built without mortar (e.g., a in Scotland).

Synonyms

• Stone fence: A barrier or boundary made of stone, which may or may not use mortar.
• Rock wall: A general term for a wall made of rocks or stones.

Notes

• The term is often hyphenated ("dry-stone wall") but can also be written as "dry stone wall".
• This construction method is ancient and is found in many parts of the world, including the British Isles, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia and South America.

Noun

1. a stone wall made with stones fitted together without mortar