tholos

[ thoh-los, -lohs ]

noun

, plural tho·loi [thoh, -loi].

1. (in classical architecture)
   1. a circular building.
   2. a small, round structure, as a lantern.
   3. a circular subterranean tomb, lined with masonry.
2. a subterranean domed tomb chamber of the Mycenaean age.

tholos

/ ˈθəʊlɒs /

noun

1. a dry-stone beehive-shaped tomb associated with the Mycenaean culture of Greece in the 16th to the 12th century bc

Word History and Origins

Origin of tholos¹

First recorded in 1895–1900, tholos is from the Greek word thólos literally, rotunda

Word History and Origins

Origin of tholos¹

C17: from Greek

Example Sentences

The memorial to vaudeville entertainer Al Jolson stands dramatically at the top of a hill inside this notable Culver City cemetery and is inspired by the forms of an ancient Greek tholos, a circular structure capped by a dome — a structure that Williams transforms into something thoroughly Modern.

From Los Angeles Times

The nearby Griffin Warrior grave was being excavated at this time, and presumably inspired the digging at the tholos tomb, even though plundering antiquities is a serious offense under Greek law.

From New York Times

Fortunately the huge stones of the tholos tomb prevented even the backhoe operator from making much progress or destroying the site’s archaeological value.

From New York Times

Both the Griffin Warrior and the two tholos tombs belong on a pottery-based time scale to a period known as Late Helladic IIA, which lasted from 1600 to 1500 B.C.E., although the exact dates are disputed.

From New York Times

When they did find the first tholos tomb, they realized to their horror that another excavator had been at work before them, using a backhoe.

From New York Times