trilithon

[ trahy-lith-on, trahy-luh-thon ]

/ traɪˈlɪθ ɒn, ˈtraɪ ləˈθɒn /

a prehistoric structure consisting of two upright stones supporting a horizontal stone.

Also tri·lith

[trahy-lith] /ˈtraɪ lɪθ/.

Origin of trilithon

1730–40; < Greek trílithon, neuter of trílithos having three stones. See tri-, -lith

One upright of the great Trilithon (raised and made secure in 1901) is erect.

Stonehenge |Frank Stevens
He took the boy across to the trilithon, and made him kneel down.

A Changed Man and Other Tales |Thomas Hardy
He then went a second time to the hollow behind the trilithon, remaining there nearly a quarter of an hour.

A Changed Man and Other Tales |Thomas Hardy
The building of the group was continuous and no gap separates the Trilithon from the foreign upright.

Stonehenge |Frank Stevens

There is a rude circle of menhirs at the site, with a trilithon or dolmen on one side.

Palestine |Claude Reignier Conder

trilithon

/ (traɪˈlɪθɒn, ˈtraɪlɪˌθɒn) /

a structure consisting of two upright stones with a third placed across the top, such as those of Stonehenge

trilithic (traɪˈlɪθɪk), adjective

C18: from Greek; see tri-, -lith