tombstone
|tomb/stone|
B2
🇺🇸
/ˈtuːmˌstoʊn/
🇬🇧
/ˈtuːm.stəʊn/
grave marker
Etymology
Etymology Information
'tombstone' originates from Middle English, specifically the words 'tomb' and 'stone', where 'tomb' meant 'grave' and 'stone' referred to a 'rock or solid material'.
Historical Evolution
'tomb' and 'stone' were combined in Middle English to form 'tombstone', which has remained largely unchanged in modern English.
Meaning Changes
Initially, it meant 'a stone marking a grave', and this meaning has largely remained the same in modern usage.
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
a large, flat inscribed stone standing or laid over a grave, typically bearing the name, date of birth, and date of death of the deceased.
The old cemetery was filled with weathered tombstones.
Synonyms
Idioms
Last updated: 2025/01/11 11:41