385. Stones

See also 177. GEMS ; 179. GEOLOGY

dolmen

a construction consisting of two or more upright stones with a third on top, regarded by archaeologists as an ancient tomb or monument.

eolith

a stone tool, as one used in the early Stone Age. —eolithic, adj.

lapidification

the process of turning to stone. Also called petrifaction, petrification .

lithoidolatry

the worship of rocks and stones. — lithoidolater, n. — lithoidolatrous, adj.

lithomancy

a form of divination involving rocks or stones.

macrolith

a tool made of stone, usually about 12 inches long.

megalith

a stone of great size, as found in the monuments and constructions of ancient, particularly prehistoric, peoples. — megalithic, adj.

menhir

an upright, monumental stone, as a cromlech, standing by itself or in a group or circle with others.

monolith

a single large block of stone used in architecture or sculpture. —monolithic, adj.

neolith

a stone artifact from the Neolithic (Stone) Age.

otolith

a stonelike concretion in the inner ear of some vertebrates, as the whale.

pessomancy

a form of divination involving pebbles. Also called psephology .

petrification, petrifaction

lapidification.

petroglyphy

the study of drawings or carvings made on rocks by a member of a prehistoric or primitive people. Also called petrography. —petroglyph, n. —petroglyphic, adj.

sabulosity

the quality or condition of being sandy or gritty, as a stone. —sab-ulous, adj.