Definition of OBELISK

obelisk

Plural: obelisks

Noun

  • A tall, four-sided stone pillar, tapering to a pyramidal top.
  • a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top
  • a character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote
  • A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.
  • Synonym of obelus.
  • A symbol resembling a horizontal line (–), sometimes together with one or two dots (for example, ⨪ or ÷), which was used in ancient manuscripts and texts to mark a word or passage as doubtful or spurious, or redundant.
  • Synonym of obelus.
  • A dagger symbol (†), which is used in printed matter as a reference mark to refer the reader to a footnote, marginal note, etc.; beside a person's name to indicate that the person is deceased; or beside a date to indicate that it is a person's death date.
  • An RNA structure similar to a viroid, with a rod-like secondary structure, which comprises its own phylogenetic group.

Verb

  • To adopt the obelisk posture; to point the tip of the abdomen towards the sun.

Examples

  • He built an OBELISK of letters, vertically stacking words for maximum points.

Origin / Etymology

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

Synonyms

dagger, aguilla, pylon, stela

Scrabble Score: 13

obelisk: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
obelisk: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
obelisk: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 15

obelisk: valid Words With Friends Word