Definition

1. Noun:
   • A stone marker for a grave: A "headstone" is a stone slab placed at the head of a grave, typically inscribed with the name, dates, and sometimes an epitaph of the deceased person.
   • The central stone in an arch or vault: In architecture, a "headstone" is the central, topmost, and often wedge-shaped stone in an arch or vault that locks the other stones in place.

Examples

• As a grave marker:
  • The old cemetery was filled with weathered headstones.
  • They chose a simple granite headstone for their grandfather's grave.
• In architecture:
  • The stability of the Gothic arch depends on its headstone.
  • The mason carefully set the headstone to complete the vault.

Advanced Usage

• "to lay/place/set a headstone": The act of installing a grave marker.
  • The family will lay the headstone during a small ceremony next month.
• "unveil a headstone": To formally reveal a newly placed grave marker.
  • The community gathered to unveil the headstone for the war hero.

Variants and Related Words

• Gravestone (n): A stone marking a grave; often used interchangeably with "headstone" for the funerary meaning.
• Tombstone (n): Another common synonym for a grave marker.
• Keystone (n): The architectural term more commonly used than "headstone" for the central stone in an arch or vault.
• Footstone (n): A smaller stone marker placed at the foot of a grave.

Synonyms

• For a grave marker: Gravestone, tombstone, marker, monument.
• In architecture: Keystone, capstone, quoin.

Related Phrases

• Headstone inscription: The words carved onto a grave marker.
  • The headstone inscription read, "Beloved Mother and Friend."

Related Idioms

• (As) cold as a headstone: Extremely cold or unfeeling. (Note: This is a less common, figurative idiom).
  • His handshake was as cold as a headstone.

Noun

1. a stone that is used to mark a grave
2. the central building block at the top of an arch or vault