obelisk

/ˈɒbəlɪsk/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈɑːbəlɪsk/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈä-bə-ˌlisk also ˈō-/ (ame, mw)

obelisk — noun

  • obelisksingular
  • obelisksplural

1. a tall stone memorial whose four sides become narrower as they rise and meet in

1.名詞C1
釋義

a tall stone memorial whose four sides become narrower as they rise and meet in a sharp point, often set up to remember a person or event.

例句

An obelisk stands in the square to remember soldiers lost in war.

public memorial in a town square

Tourists gathered beside the obelisk at the entrance to the temple.

同義詞
  • monument

    a broader word for any structure raised to remember someone or something

  • pillar

    can describe any tall upright post, not specifically a pointed memorial

  • column

    often an architectural support, while an obelisk is mainly a monument

用法筆記

Usually refers to a physical monument in a public place, museum, or ancient site. Distinguish from sense 2, which names the printed symbol †.

2. the sign † in printed text, especially for sending readers to a note after an as

2.名詞C2
釋義

the sign † in printed text, especially for sending readers to a note after an asterisk is already being used.

例句

The editor placed an obelisk after the surname and added the note below.

printing mark for a note

In the recipe book, an obelisk marked the line about nut allergies.

同義詞
  • dagger

    the standard technical name for this printed sign

  • symbol

    much broader and does not specifically mean the † mark

  • mark

    general term for a printed sign; less precise than obelisk

用法筆記

Mostly used in printing, editing, and academic text. Distinguish from sense 1, which names a stone monument rather than a page symbol.