Definition

1. Noun:
   • A typographical symbol: The "double dagger" is a character (‡) used in printed text to indicate a cross-reference or a footnote, typically when the asterisk (*) and dagger (†) have already been used.

Usage

• The "double dagger" is used in academic writing, legal texts, and technical documents to mark a third level of annotation or reference.
• It follows the sequence: first footnote uses an asterisk (*), second uses a dagger (†), and third uses a double dagger (‡).

Examples

• Noun:
  • The author used a double dagger to mark the third footnote on the page.
  • Please see the explanation marked with the double dagger symbol (‡) at the bottom of the article.

Advanced Usage

• "double-dagger" (as a modifier): Sometimes used as an adjective to describe the symbol itself.
  • The double-dagger note provides crucial supplementary data.

Variants and Related Words

• Dagger (†): The single dagger, used for a second footnote.
• Asterisk (*): The symbol used for a first footnote.
• Obelus: A general historical term for a symbol, like the dagger or double dagger, used to mark questionable passages.

Synonyms

• Diesis: An older or less common synonym for the double dagger symbol.
• Double obelisk: Another technical name for the ‡ symbol.

Related Phrases

• Referenced by a double dagger: Indicates that a piece of text is annotated with this symbol.
  • The exception to the rule is referenced by a double dagger.

Related Idioms

• The term "double dagger" is highly specific to typography and reference notation and is not typically used in idiomatic expressions.

Noun

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