obelisk

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a tall, four-sided stone pillar that tapers to a pyramidal point, often erected as a monument

   The ancient obelisk casts a narrow shadow across the square.

2. 2
   noun

   a dagger-shaped printing mark used to indicate a footnote, reference, or doubtful passage

   An obelisk beside the sentence directs readers to the translator's note.

From Middle French obelisque, Latin obeliscus, and Greek obeliskos, a diminutive of obelos ("spit, pointed pillar"). The printing symbol was named for its pointed shape.

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