Monolith

Monolith (Greek μονόλιθος Monólithos "single stone " or literally "one stone ", from μονο mono " individual " and λίθος líthos "stone" ) means something like ' stone of a piece ". Generally referred to objects that consist of a single piece, as monolithic.

Natural stones

It refers to major natural stones:

• Boulders are monolithic stone blocks that were mostly deposited during the Ice Age in the area of ​​terminal moraines.
• The largest monolith in the world: Mount Augustus in Western Australia,
• El Capitan in California,
• Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming,
• Angel's Landing in Utah,
• Great White Throne in Utah.
• Single crystals are also called monolithic

Soil Science

In soil science gouged square about the size of 30 × 30 × 40 cm referred to as a monolith. These are used for gaining knowledge about soil structure and horizon sequence.

Construction

• Menhirs ( standing stones ), stone circles and megalithic tombs ( dolmens ) are considered the earliest testimonies of European monumental architecture and megalithic culture.
• In the ancient art and architecture are also statues and architectural elements (such as a column or architrave ) which are carved from a single stone, called monolithic.
• A monolithic church, see Church of the Rock
• Obelisk, free standing, high, tapering upward stone pillar, which has a pyramidal spire. The obelisk is like the pyramid represent the petrified rays of the ancient Egyptian sun god Re ( or Aton ) and to be the link between this world and the world of the gods. The largest manufactured in the 20th century obelisk is the Mussolini obelisk in Rome.
• As a practical Monolithic components all reinforced concrete elements are referred to, which are cast on site or in production plants from fresh concrete. Connections between two such components are called monolithic or monolithic connection port.

Generally

Is referred to as monolithic, which consists of a large whole, as opposed to assembled from individual parts, especially in modular construction.

• Operating system kernel, the individual components ( device drivers, file systems, enhancements, etc. ) are located in a common, non-separated or protected area, are referred to as a monolithic kernel ( eg older versions of Linux ). In comparison, microkernel systems attempt their individual components ( kernel modules ) separated from each other to organize in independent protected units (eg, GNU Hurd, L4). Modern kernels are mostly hybrids of both concepts ( eg current Linux, Windows NT, Darwin, etc.).
• Integrated circuits that are mounted on a single (silicon ) crystal (chip) will be referred to as monolithic - in contrast for example to the thick-film hybrid technique.

Religion

In certain religions monolithic stones a religious or cultic significance is often attached. Known for this purpose is the megalithic culture, which has raised some stones up to 350 tons.

Political language

Also, parties or organizations can be described as monolithic. This suggests inertia, conservatism and long hergebrachte decision-making structures. Josef Stalin is reviewed in this sense today as a colossus of power and his system as a monolith. For example, the CDU was sometimes described in the literature as a monolithic unity of action. However, this was rejected by Josef Schmid (see below).