monolithic, a.
(mɒnəʊˈlɪθɪk)
[f. monolith + -ic.]
1. a. Formed of a single block of stone; of the nature of a monolith.
| 1825 Fosbrooke Encycl. Antiq. I. 12 These sanctuaries often consisted of a single excavated block. They are called Monolithic temples. 1849 Freeman Archit. 101 The Greek column, which, in idea at least, is so essentially monolithic. 1859 Tennent Ceylon II. x. ii. 622 Rows of monolithic pillars, each twenty-six feet high. 1876 Fergusson Hist. Ind. & East. Archit. iv. ii. 338 There is no doubt that their monolithic character is the principal source of the awe and wonder with which they have been regarded. |
b. Electronics. Of a solid-state circuit: composed of active and passive components formed in a single chip (or thin film: see quot. 1967).
| 1963 E. Keonjian Microelectronics i. 8 (heading) Monolithic circuits. Ibid. 9 A monolithic piece of material is treated in such a way as to possess an electronic circuit function. 1965 New Scientist 20 May 510/2 The multi-chip assembly has some advantages over the monolithic circuit—for example, the various chips can be tested before assembly. 1967 Encycl. Dict. Physics Suppl. II. 173/1 Monolithic circuit, an integrated circuit which uses either thin film or silicon chip techniques for both active and passive devices but not a mixture of these techniques. Since true monolithic thin film circuits are not commercially available the term is more usually applied to silicon chip construction, where it implies, in particular, that any circuit capacitors do not use evaporated dielectrics. However, monolithic silicon chip circuits may use a deposited pattern of connectors between circuit elements. 1970 [see integrated ppl. a. b]. 1971 Physics Bull. Jan. 45/1 The new computer has a main memory constructed entirely of monolithic circuits and uses silicon memory chips instead of magnetic cores for storage. |
2. Composed or consisting of monoliths; relating to or characterized by monoliths.
| 1851 D. Wilson Preh. Ann. v. 100 The remarkable monolithic group called The Stones of Stennis. Ibid. 103 What may be styled the monolithic era of art. |
3. (See quot. 1881.)
| 1881 Young Ev. Man his own Mech. §1232 It is intended to build the walls in ‘monolithic’ concrete, that is to say, a wall composed of concrete built up piece-meal which hardens into a solid unbroken mass. 1885 [see beton]. 1898 Engineering Mag. XVI. 131/1 A Large Monolithic Concrete Building. Ibid, A large Monolithic Factory Building. |
4. transf. and fig. Resembling a monolith, having one or more of the qualities of a monolith; great, massive; immovable, unwavering, unemotional; unified, homogeneous, unchallenged. Esp. applied to organizations, parties, governments, etc., which are autocratic or monopolistic (freq. in derogatory use).
| 1920 D. H. Lawrence England, my England (1922) 87 Maurice had a curious monolithic way of sitting in a chair, erect and distant. 1923 A. Huxley Antic Hay xiii. 192 His appearance is monolithic and grim. 1937 Nation (N.Y.) 10 July 32/1 The monolithic corporation talks loudly to the workers. 1942 New Republic 9 Nov. 598/2 The monolithic power structure of the totalitarian state. 1945 A. L. Rowse West-Country Stories 26 The Fourth Symphony of Sibelius, the most monolithic of them all. 1948 J. Towster Polit. Power in U.S.S.R. p. ix, The peculiarities of the monolithic Communist Party. 1952 Economist 22 Mar. 702/1 Herr Grotewohl and his monolithic Socialist Unity Party are democratic. 1953 Times 11 Apr. 7/2 Wherever there is monolithic rule the autocrat is bound to repress all views that are not his own. 1959 Listener 5 Mar. 423/1 There were many contradictory elements in her, but they and she were static, immovable, almost monolithic. 1971 Nature 7 May 2/2 But would not the merging of the research councils create too monolithic a central sponsor? 1974 E. Ambler Dr. Frigo ii. 124 We were never a monolithic party. |