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Tombstone - Meaning, Definition & English Examples

A tombstone is a flat, upright stone marker placed at a gravesite to commemorate the deceased. It typically bears the person’s name, dates of birth and death, and sometimes an inscription.

tombstone

/ˈtumˌstoʊn/ /ˈtuːmˌstəʊn/

Definition:

A stone marker placed over a grave, typically inscribed with the deceased's name and dates.

Synonyms:

gravestone, headstone, memorial stone

Part of Speech:

noun

Antonyms:

birth certificate, living being

Common Collocations:

weathered tombstone, engraved tombstone, ancient tombstone, cemetery tombstone, marble tombstone

Derivatives:

tombstones (plural), tombstonic (rare adjective)

Usage Tips:

Use "tombstone" to refer specifically to grave markers; avoid for other stone monuments unless metaphorical.

Common Phrases:

written in stone, tombstone pizza, tombstone territory

Etymology:

From Old English "tumb" (burial mound) + "stan" (stone), evolving to mark graves by the 16th century.

Examples:

  • 1. The tombstone stood weathered but upright in the old cemetery.
  • 2. She traced the faded letters on her grandfather's tombstone with her fingers.
  • 3. The detective found a clue hidden near the tombstone in the murder mystery novel.
  • 4. They placed fresh flowers on the tombstone every Memorial Day.

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