Definitions for obeliskˈɒb ə lɪsk

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Random House Webster's College Dictionary

ob•e•liskˈɒb ə lɪsk(n.)

  1. a tapering, four-sided shaft of stone, usu. monolithic and having a pyramidal apex.

  2. Ref: obelus.

  3. Category: Printing

    Ref: dagger (def. 2). 2

Origin of obelisk:

1540–50; < L obeliscus < Gk obelískos small spit

Princeton's WordNet

  1. obelisk(noun)

    a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top

  2. dagger, obelisk(noun)

    a character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote

Wiktionary

  1. obelisk(Noun)

    A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.

  2. obelisk(Noun)

    The dagger sign (u2020), especially when used as a reference mark.

  3. Origin: 1569. From obelisque, from obeliscus, from ὀβελίσκος, diminutive of ὀβελός.

Webster Dictionary

  1. Obelisk(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

  2. Obelisk(noun)

    a mark of reference; -- called also dagger [/]. See Dagger, n., 2

  3. Obelisk(verb)

    to mark or designate with an obelisk

The Nuttall Encyclopedia

  1. Obelisk

    a tall four-sided pillar, generally monolithic, tapering to a pyramidal pointed top, erected in connection with temples in Egypt, and inscribed all over with hieroglyphs, and in memorial, as is likely, of some historical personage or event; they are of ancient date.


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