Sekirov Dictionary

monolith

UK /ˈmɒn.ə.lɪθ/US /ˈmɑn.əˌlɪθ/

noun 4
verb 3
forms 3

noun4

•
[before a noun] A large, single block of stone which is a natural feature; or a block of stone or other similar material used in architecture and sculpture, especially one carved into a monument in ancient times.
- The practice of using large blocks of stone, either as monoliths or as forming parts of structures, has existed from the earliest times in all parts of the world. — 1875
•
[before a noun] (figurative) Anything massive, uniform, and unmovable, especially a towering and impersonal cultural, political, or social organization or structure.
- But English society is no monolith, and it is a gross simplification to force it into one mould. — 1984
•
A substrate having many tiny channels that is cast as a single piece, which is used as a stationary phase for chromatography, as a catalytic surface, etc.
- [W]ork performed by Gough et al. looked at the long-term culture (28 days) of craniofacial fibroblasts seeded on to monolith calcium/sodium phosphate glass surfaces. — 2011
•
(UK) A dead tree whose height and size have been reduced by breaking off or cutting its branches.
- Stumps of older fallen trees, known as upright monoliths, have incredible environmental value and can provide a home and food source for insects for decades. — 2020

verb3

•
To create (something) as, or convert (one or more things) into, a monolith.
- Secondary waste solids such as fines from high-temperature filters and the bag house can be mixed with the bed product and monolithed for disposal. — 2011
•
To cast (one or more concrete components) in a single piece with no joints.
- It should be noted that the parapets, also monolithing with the decking slab, contribute an important share to the effective resistance of the work. — 1927
•
(UK) To reduce the height and size of (a dead tree) by breaking off or cutting its branches.
- The go-ahead has been given to fell 23 Lawson cypress and ‘monolith’ (reduce to their main stems, without branches) four dead alder, which made up part of the woodland off Bickland Water Road. — 2020

forms

monolithed · monolithing · monoliths

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