obelus

A scholar adds an obelus in the margin of an ancient manuscript.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A typographical symbol: "obelus" refers to a mark (†) used in ancient manuscripts to indicate a spurious, doubtful, or corrupt passage.
   • A reference mark: In modern usage, it is also known as a dagger and is used to indicate footnotes, especially the second footnote after an asterisk.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The scribe placed an obelus next to the questionable line of text. (A typographical mark indicating doubt about the passage.)
  • In the footnote, the obelus directed readers to an additional comment. (The dagger symbol used for referencing.)

Advanced Usage

• "obelus in textual criticism": A critical mark used by editors to denote passages likely not original to the text.

  • Scholars debated whether the obelus was correctly applied to that verse. (The mark indicating a potentially spurious line.)

• "obelus as a footnote marker": In printed works, the obelus (†) often follows the asterisk (*) in a series of footnotes.

  • The second footnote was marked with an obelus. (The dagger symbol for the second note.)

Variants and Related Words

• Obeli (n, plural): the plural form of obelus.

  • The manuscript contained several obeli marking dubious passages. (Multiple instances of the symbol.)

• Obelisk (n): a related term, though now more commonly referring to a stone pillar; historically, it could also mean the same mark.

  • The ancient text used obelisks to highlight errors. (Archaic use of the symbol.)

Synonyms

• Dagger: a common name for the obelus in modern typography.
• Death mark: a colloquial term for the obelus due to its resemblance to a cross.

Related Idioms

• No idioms are commonly associated with "obelus" as it is a technical term in typography and textual criticism.