headstone
|head/stone|
B1
🇺🇸
/ˈhɛdˌstoʊn/
🇬🇧
/ˈhɛdˌstəʊn/
grave marker
Etymology
Etymology Information
'headstone' originates from Old English, specifically the words 'heafod' meaning 'head' and 'stan' meaning 'stone'.
Historical Evolution
'heafodstan' transformed into the Middle English word 'hedstane', and eventually became the modern English word 'headstone'.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a stone at the head of a grave', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a stone marker set at the head of a grave, typically inscribed with the name, birth, and death dates of the deceased.
The headstone was engraved with a beautiful epitaph.
Synonyms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41