monument

mon·u·ment   (mŏn'yə-mənt)    n.   A structure, such as a building or sculpture, erected as a memorial. An inscribed marker placed at a grave; a tombstone. Something venerated for its enduring historic significance or association with a notable past person or thing: the architectural monuments of ancient Rome; traditions that are monuments to an earlier era. An outstanding enduring achievement: a translation that is a monument of scholarship. An exceptional example: "Thousands of them wrote texts, some of them monuments of dullness" (Robert L. Heilbroner). An object, such as a post or stone, fixed in the ground so as to mark a boundary or position. A written document, especially a legal one. [Middle English, from Latin monumentum, memorial, from monēre, to remind; see men-1 in Indo-European roots.]

Monument

Mon"u*ment\, n. [F., fr. L. monumentum, fr. monere to remind, admonish. See Monition, and cf. Moniment.]

1. Something which stands, or remains, to keep in remembrance what is past; a memorial.

Of ancient British art A pleasing monument. --Philips.

Our bruised arms hung up for monuments. --Shak.

2. A building, pillar, stone, or the like, erected to preserve the remembrance of a person, event, action, etc.; as, the Washington monument; the Bunker Hill monument. Also, a tomb, with memorial inscriptions.

On your family's old monument Hang mournful epitaphs, and do all rites That appertain unto a burial. --Shak.

3. A stone or other permanent object, serving to indicate a limit or to mark a boundary.

4. A saying, deed, or example, worthy of record.

Acts and Monuments of these latter and perilous days. --Foxe.

Syn: Memorial; remembrance; tomb; cenotaph.

monument