obelisk
UK /ˈɒbəlɪsk/ · US /ˈɑbəlɪsk/ noun, verb
Forms obelisks obelisking obelisked obelisc
- noun (architecture) A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.
- noun (historical) A symbol resembling a horizontal line (–), sometimes together with one or two dots (for example, ⨪ or ÷), which was used in ancient manuscripts and texts to mark a word or passage as doubtful or spurious, or redundant.
- noun A dagger symbol (†), which is used in printed matter as a reference mark to refer the reader to a footnote, marginal note, etc.; beside a person's name to indicate that the person is deceased; or beside a date to indicate that it is a person's death date.
- noun (virology) An RNA structure similar to a viroid, with a rod-like secondary structure, which comprises its own phylogenetic group.
- verb (entomology, of a dragonfly) To adopt the obelisk posture; to point the tip of the abdomen towards the sun.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Middle French obelisque, from Latin obeliscus (“obelisk”), from Ancient Greek ὀβελίσκος (obelískos), diminutive of ὀβελός (obelós, “needle”). Compare obelus.
Webster’s 1913
- noun An upright, four-sided pillar, gradually tapering as it rises, and terminating in a pyramid called pyramidion. It is ordinarily monolithic. Egyptian obelisks are commonly covered with hieroglyphic writing from top to bottom.
- noun A mark of reference; --called also dagger [&dag;]. See Dagger, n., 2.
- verb To mark or designate with an obelisk.
Etymology [L. obeliscus, Gr. obélisque.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “obelisk”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details