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Glite Dictionary
merestone

merestone

9.9
A pile of stones topped by a standing stone that marks the edge of land
  • noun
  • Archaic
translation icon : mojón
  • The old merestone at the edge of the field marked the division between two estates.

Examples

  • During the legal dispute, the location of the original merestone became crucial evidence.

  • Ancient maps often reference a merestone as a key boundary point.

  • The old merestone stood tall at the edge of the property.

  • They discovered a merestone during their hike.

  • The old merestone at the edge of the field marked the division between two estates.

  • During the legal dispute, the location of the original merestone became crucial evidence.

  • Ancient maps often reference a merestone as a key boundary point.

Synonyms

cairn
vsmerestone
4 7.7

A pile of stones on a hill to mark a path or remember someone

is specifically the pile with an upright slab used to mark land limits
meerestone
vsmerestone
  • Archaic
9.9

A pile of stones with a standing stone that marks a boundary

is the same word spelled without the extra e
mearstone
vsmerestone
  • Archaic
9.9

A pile of stones with a standing stone on top that marks a land border

is the same meaning but written with a different spelling

How Noticeable

pillar
52 2.6
fence
567 1.0
marker
86 1.0
merestone
  • Archaic
9.9
boundary
232 3.1

Surface Forms

merestone singular
merestones plural

Morphology

merestone = mere + stone (opaque) = mere + stone

Although historically a compound 'mere' (boundary) + 'stone', the element 'mere' meaning 'boundary' is archaic and unfamiliar to most learners, so the meaning is not derivable from the components.

Etymology

The word merestone comes from an old English word mere meaning 'boundary' and stone meaning 'rock'. So a merestone is a rock placed to mark the edge or limit of land, much like a milestone marks distance.