English Explanatory Dictionary

menhir

English dictionary entry

Meanings

noun

A single tall standing stone as a monument, especially one dating to prehistoric times.

Pronunciation

/ˈmɛnhɪə/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-menhir.wav /ˈmɛnˌ(h)ɪ(ə)ɹ/ En-us-menhir.oga

Word forms

menhir menhirs

Etymology

PIE word *méǵh₂s Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *méǵh₂sder.? Proto-Celtic *maginos Proto-Brythonic *maɣɨnder. Breton maen Proto-Indo-European *seh₁- Proto-Indo-European *-rós Proto-Celtic *sīros Proto-Brythonic *hirder. Breton hir Breton maen-hirbor. French menhirbor. English menhir Either borrowed from French menhir, or from its etymon Breton maen-hir, compound of maen (“stone”) + hir (“long”). Compare with Welsh maen hir, and Cornish men hir.

Synonyms

standing stone orthostat

Related words

stela stele

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