I.a block of stone used as a prop or buttress to a wall, Il.: a block of rockcrystal, in which the Egyptian mummies were cased, Hdt.
II.a block or slab, bearing an inscription; and so,
1.a gravestone, Hom., attic
2.a block or slab, inscribed with record of victories, dedications, treaties, decrees, etc., Hdt., attic; γράφειν τινὰ εἰς στήλην, ἀναγράφειν ἐν στήλῃ, whether for honour, or for infamy, Hdt., Dem.:—also the record itself, a contract, agreement, κατὰ τὴν στήλην according to agreement, Ar.; στῆλαι αἱ πρὸς Θηβαίους Dem.
3.a boundary post, Xen.:— the turning-post at the end of the racecourse, Lat. meta, Soph., Xen.
