Stele
/ˈstiːli/noun
An upright stone slab or pillar, often carved or inscribed, used as a monument or marker.
Did you know?The word comes from Greek stēlē, a standing slab or pillar, and many were carved to honor the dead, mark borders, or proclaim divine law in public space.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*stel-
“to place, stand, set up”
Ancient Greek
Greek
στήλη (stēlē)
“an upright slab, pillar, or monument”
Late Latin
Latin
stēla
“a pillar or upright stone”
Late Middle English
English
stele
“a standing stone or pillar used as a monument”
Modern English
English
stele
“an upright inscribed stone slab or pillar”