Henge
/hɛndʒ/noun
A prehistoric circular or oval earthwork with a ditch inside the bank, often containing stone or timber settings.
Did you know?The name was popularized in archaeology by Stonehenge, but the first element of Stonehenge is probably from an Old English word meaning 'stone,' not a mysterious ritual term.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
hen(c)en
“likely a hanging or hinge-like support; the exact early form is uncertain”
Middle English
ME
henge
“a hanging or suspension device; later, a term associated with Stonehenge”
1920s
English
henge
“reintroduced by archaeologists as a class name for certain prehistoric earthworks”
Modern English
English
henge
“a circular or oval prehistoric earthwork with an internal ditch and external bank”