1. a block of stone used as a prop or buttress to a wall , (Iliad by Homer): a block of rockcrystal, in which the Egyptian mummies were cased, (Herdotus Historicus)

2. a block or slab , bearing an inscription; and so,

3. a gravestone , (Homer), attic

4. a block or slab , inscribed with record of victories, dedications, treaties, decrees, etc. (Herdotus Historicus), attic; γράφειν τινὰ εἰς στήλην, ἀναγράφειν ἐν στήλῃ, whether for honour, or for infamy, (Herdotus Historicus):—;also the record itself, a contract, agreement , κατὰ τὴν στήλην according to agreement , (Aristophanes Comicus); στῆλαι αἱ πρὸς Θηβαίους (Demosthenes Orator)

5. a boundary post, (Xenophon Historicus):—; the turning-post at the end of the racecourse, Lat. meta, (Sophocles Tragicus)

6. for Στῆλαι Ἡρακλήιαι, see. Ἡράκλειος. (ML)