Definition

1. Noun:
   • A tall, four-sided stone pillar that tapers to a pyramidal top: An "obelisk" is a monumental stone structure, typically erected as a monument or landmark. Historically, they were prominent in ancient Egypt.
   • A symbol (†) used in printing and writing: In text, an "obelisk" (also called a dagger or obelus) is a character used to indicate a footnote, cross-reference, or a person's death.

Examples of Usage

• Noun (Monument):
  • The ancient obelisk stood in the center of the square.
  • They visited the Egyptian obelisk, which was covered in hieroglyphs.
• Noun (Symbol):
  • The author used an obelisk to mark the important footnote.
  • In the bibliography, his date of death was shown next to an obelisk.

Advanced Usage

• Historical Context: Obelisks were often carved from a single piece of stone (monolith) and were frequently dedicated to Egyptian pharaohs or gods. Many were later moved to other countries.
  • The obelisk known as Cleopatra's Needle was transported from Egypt to London.
• Typographical Use: The obelisk symbol is part of a sequence for footnotes, often following the asterisk (*).
  • The first footnote uses an asterisk, and the second uses an obelisk.

Variants and Related Words

• Obelus (noun): The technical term for the dagger symbol (†), especially in its original use in ancient manuscripts to mark questionable passages.
• Monolith (noun): A large single upright block of stone, which may be shaped into an obelisk.
• Stele (noun): An upright stone slab or column typically inscribed for commemorative purposes, related to but distinct from an obelisk.

Synonyms

• Monument: A structure erected to commemorate a person or event.
• Pillar: A tall vertical structure used as a support or monument.
• Dagger (in printing): The symbol (†).

Related Phrases

• Raise an obelisk: To erect or build an obelisk.
  • The pharaoh ordered his men to raise an obelisk in honor of the sun god.
• Marked with an obelisk: Indicated by the dagger symbol in text.
  • The questionable statistic in the report was marked with an obelisk.

Related Idioms

• (None directly associated): There are no common English idioms that use the word "obelisk" itself. Its usage is primarily literal or technical.

Noun

1. a character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote
2. a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top