obelisk
UK: ˈɒb.əl.ɪsk | US: ˈɑː.bəl.ɪsk
n. a tall, four-sided stone pillar that tapers to a pyramid-like point at the top, often inscribed with hieroglyphs and erected as a monument in ancient Egypt.
n. (typography) a dagger-shaped symbol (†) used as a reference mark or to indicate a footnote.
obelisk = obel<pointed pillar> + isk<noun suffix>
- obel (from Greek obeliskos, diminutive of obelos "spit, pointed pillar")
- isk (a suffix indicating a diminutive or specific form, from Greek -iskos)
Etymology Origin:
The word "obelisk" traces back to ancient Greek obeliskos, a diminutive of obelos ("spit" or "pointed pillar"), reflecting its slender, tapering shape. The Greeks borrowed the term from Egyptian monuments, which were often inscribed and served as solar symbols or tributes to pharaohs. The suffix -iskos adds a sense of "small" or "specific," though obelisks are anything but small—highlighting how language can playfully contradict reality.
The ancient obelisk stood proudly in the center of the temple complex.
Scholars translated the hieroglyphs carved into the obelisk’s surface.
In the textbook, an obelisk (†) marks footnotes for additional readings.
The Romans transported several Egyptian obelisks to adorn their cities.
The obelisk’s shadow aligned perfectly with the sundial at noon.