menhir

views updated May 23 2018

menhir Archaeological term given to single standing stones found in w Europe. Probably of Neolithic origin, they are usually tall and square in section, tapering towards the top. They are thought to mark places of religious or ritual significance. See also dolmen; megalith

menhir

views updated Jun 08 2018

menhir a tall upright stone of a kind erected in prehistoric times in western Europe. The word comes from Breton men ‘stone’ + hir ‘long’.

menhir

views updated May 23 2018

menhir. See megalith.

menhir

views updated May 21 2018

menhir tall monumental stone. XIX. — Breton men hir (maen stone, hir long) = W. maen hir, Corn. medn hir.

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