monolith
UK[ˈmɒn.ə.lɪθ]US[ˈmɑː.nə.lɪθ]
n
a large single upright block of stone, especially one shaped into or serving as a pillar or monument.
n
a large, impersonal political or corporate structure regarded as indivisible and slow to change.
Morpheme Breakdown
mono
lith
mono
single
lith
stone
Etymology
the word 'monolith' is a modern formation, directly assembled from classical greek elements. it combines 'monos', meaning single or alone, with 'lithos', meaning stone, to create a term that literally translates to "single stone." this compound was adopted into english in the early 19th century, primarily through archaeological and geological contexts to describe massive, solitary stone structures like obelisks or menhirs. over time, its meaning expanded metaphorically to describe any large, uniform, and seemingly indivisible organization or system, preserving the core idea of a singular, imposing entity.
Analysis
Structure: mono (single) + lith (stone)
mono- (from greek 'monos', meaning single, alone, only). -lith (from greek 'lithos', meaning stone).
Examples
the ancient monolith stood silently in the field, a mystery to all who saw it.
critics accused the technology company of becoming a stifling monolith that crushed innovation.
the film portrays the government not as a collection of individuals but as a faceless monolith.