obelisk

American  

[ob-uh-lisk] / ˈɒb ə lɪsk /

noun

1. a tapering, four-sided shaft of stone, usually monolithic and having a pyramidal apex.

2. something resembling such a shaft.

3. an obelus.

4. Printing. dagger.

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obelisk British  

/ ˈɒbɪlɪsk /

noun

1. a stone pillar having a square or rectangular cross section and sides that taper towards a pyramidal top, often used as a monument in ancient Egypt

2. printing another name for dagger

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Other Word Forms

• obeliscal adjective
• obeliskoid adjective

Etymology

Origin of obelisk

1540–50; < Latin obeliscus < Greek obelískos small spit, equivalent to obel ( ós ) spit, pointed pillar + -iskos diminutive suffix

Example Sentences

Idly she tapped the obelisk clock with the handle of her teaspoon.

From Literature

They were digging a hole in the top of the hill for the bottom of the obelisk to gently slide into.

From Literature

In Venice, Meals was equally moved when he accidentally came upon an obelisk marking the spot where, in April 1942, more than a thousand Japanese Americans boarded buses for Manzanar.

From Los Angeles Times

As an obelisk, the Washington Monument serves as a reminder of Rome’s victory over Egypt.

From Salon

The idea to transport imposing obelisks to Paris came about at the turn of the 19th century, during Napoleon Bonaparte’s military campaign in Egypt.

From Seattle Times