monumentous

English

Etymology

From monument +‎ -ous. First attested in 1889, probably a new formation, comparable with Latin monumentosum, Portuguese monumentoso (“monumental”).

Adjective

monumentous (comparative more monumentous, superlative most monumentous)

  1. monumental; very large or important
    • 1910, Journal of Entomology and Zoology, Volume 2, Issue 2, page 23:
      ... commencing a monumentous catalogue of the Hemiptera of the world ...
    • 1947, P&S '47: The Yearbook of The College of Physicians and Surgeons, Columbia University‎[1]:
      ... Finch Parsons, who almost single-handedly tackled the momentous and monumentous task of enlisting patrons; ...
    • 1950 May, Joseph A. Appleyard, The Stylus:
      In order to remedy this lack of ability I suggest that the Dramatic Society and the Musical Clubs join their ranks to produce a truly great opera, a magnificent spectacle, a monumentous work.
    • 1963 October 14, Henry B. González, Congressional Record — House:
      Mr. Speaker, this last weekend on my return to my home district, the 20th Congressional District of Texas. Bexar County, Tex., also a very historical spot, the county of Bexar, or, as it is pronounced in Spanish, "Behar," has been the scene of some of the most monumentous and historical events in the history of our country.
  2. memorable or remarkable; worthy of recording or memorializing.
    • 1889, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Firm of Girdlestone, New York: Lovell, Coryell & Co, →OCLC, page 339:
      He kept them to himself, however, and contented himself with remarking to the carpenter that he had never met with a more "monumentous episode."
    • 1994, U.S. Department of the Navy, The Naval Criminal Investigative Service: To Protect and Serve‎[2]:
      In 1935, a young LTJG Cecil H. Coggins, while working for the ONI, made a monumentous intelligence discovery.
    • 1911 October, Jeffrey Farnol, The Money Moon, New York: Dodd, Mead and Company, page 321:
      "On this here monumentous occasion, Mrs. Belloo," the sailor proceeded, "my shipmate, Dick, and me, mam, — respectfully beg the favour of saluting the bride; — Mrs. Belloo, by your leave — here's health, and happiness, mam!"

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