obelisk

Alternative forms

• obelisc

Etymology

1569. From Middle French obelisque, from Latin obeliscus (“obelisk”), from Ancient Greek ὀβελίσκος (obelískos), diminutive of ὀβελός (obelós, “needle”).

Noun

obelisk (plural obelisks)

1. A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.
   • 2012 January 1, Henry Petroski, “The Washington Monument”, in American Scientist‎, volume 100, number 1, page 16:

     The Washington Monument is often described as an obelisk, and sometimes even as a “true obelisk,” even though it is not. A true obelisk is a monolith, a pylon formed out of a single piece of stone.

2. (printing) The dagger sign (†), especially when used as a reference mark.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /ɔˈbɛ.lʲisk/

• Audio

  (file)

Noun

obelisk m inan

1. obelisk

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /obělisk/
• Hyphenation: o‧be‧lisk

Noun

obèlisk m (Cyrillic spelling обѐлиск)

1. obelisk

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): /obɛlɪsk/
• Rhymes: -ɪsk

Noun

obelisk c

1. obelisk