VocabDictionary

tumulus

/ˈtjuːmjʊləs/advanced Level

English Meaning & Definitions

1.noun

An ancient burial mound; a barrow or artificial hill constructed over a grave or graves.

Example Sentences:
  • Archaeologists carefully excavated the tumulus to uncover artifacts from the Bronze Age.
  • The landscape was dotted with several grassy tumuli, marking the resting places of ancient chieftains.
Share & Learn With Friends

Share “tumulus” with study groups, classmates, or on your social channels.

English Synonyms & Near Equivalents

English Antonyms & Opposites

Comprehensive Thesaurus Breakdown

Compare formal, informal, literary synonyms and register nuances for “tumulus”.

Thesaurus Entry
Cultural Origin & Etymology

Derived directly from the Latin word 'tumulus', meaning 'mound' or 'hillock', which itself stems from the Proto-Indo-European root '*teuh-', meaning 'to swell'. It is cognate with the Latin 'tumere' (to swell), which is the source of the English word 'tumor'.

Memory Aid & Mnemonic

Think of a 'tumor' on the earth: a tumulus is a swelling or mound of dirt over a grave.

Frequently Asked Questions About “tumulus

1. What is the meaning of “tumulus” in English?

In English, tumulus (noun) is defined as: “An ancient burial mound; a barrow or artificial hill constructed over a grave or graves.”.

2. How do you use “tumulus” in a sentence?

Archaeologists carefully excavated the tumulus to uncover artifacts from the Bronze Age.

3. What are English synonyms of “tumulus”?

Common synonyms include:barrow,burial mound,kurgans,cairn

4. What is the etymology and word origin of “tumulus”?

Derived directly from the Latin word 'tumulus', meaning 'mound' or 'hillock', which itself stems from the Proto-Indo-European root '*teuh-', meaning 'to swell'. It is cognate with the Latin 'tumere' (to swell), which is the source of the English word 'tumor'.