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obelus

[ob-uh-luh s]
noun, plural ob·e·li [ob-uh-lahy] /ˈɒb əˌlaɪ/.
  1. a mark (− or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to point out spurious, corrupt, doubtful, or superfluous words or passages.
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Origin of obelus

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin < Greek obelós spit, pointed pillar
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for obeli

Historical Examples

  • The plan of expressing suspicion by obeli was a good one—it raised the question of genuineness without foreclosing it.

    Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3

    W. E. Gladstone

British Dictionary definitions for obeli

obelus

noun plural -li (-ˌlaɪ)
  1. a mark (— or ÷) used in editions of ancient documents to indicate spurious words or passages
  2. another name for dagger (def. 2)
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Word Origin

C14: via Late Latin from Greek obelos spit
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012