dolmanlike

Dolmanlike is an adjective used to describe something that resembles either a dolmen, a type of prehistoric megalithic tomb, or a dolman, a loose-fitting garment with a wide, draped sleeve. The term appears in two primary domains, archaeology and fashion, where it conveys a sense of resemblance rather than strict equivalence.

In archaeology, dolmanlike refers descriptively to tombs or stone arrangements that resemble the classic dolmen, typically characterized by a large flat capstone supported by upright stones forming a single-chamber tomb. The usage is descriptive rather than a formal typology, and dolmanlike isn’t a standard category in megalithic classifications.

In fashion, dolmanlike describes silhouettes or sleeves that invoke a dolman silhouette, especially garments with a draped, loose upper body and wide sleeves that may be cut to appear continuous with the bodice. The term emphasizes a flowing, relaxed shape rather than a fitted form and is more common in descriptive prose than in technical pattern drafting.

Usage notes: dolmanlike is relatively rare and can be ambiguous without domain context. When clarity is required, it is often preferable to specify the intended sense, for example by using dolmen-like in an archaeological context or dolman-sleeved in a garment description.

See also: dolmen, dolman sleeve, megalith.