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HOW TO PRONOUNCE

obelisk

/ˈɑbəlɪsk/

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American Pronunciation Guide · 0:57
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What does obelisk mean?

noun

  1. A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.
  2. 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.
  3. An RNA structure similar to a viroid, with a rod-like secondary structure, which comprises its own phylogenetic group.
More meanings (2)

verb

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

noun

  1. (historical) 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.

Definitions regrouped for readability · CC BY-SA 4.0

IPA pronunciation

/ˈɑbəlɪsk/

Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Other dictionary pronunciations

/ˈɔbəlɪsk/
Wiktionary contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0

Pronunciation varies by speaker and region. About these dictionary pronunciations.

In the pages of books

See this word in context.

Even his cuff-buttons were engraved with hieroglyphics, and he was more inscribed than an Egyptian obelisk.
Willa CatherMy ÁntoniaProject Gutenberg ebook #242
These symbols were always in the form of an obelisk or tower, thereby indicating the worship of the male energy.
Eliza Burt GambleThe God-Idea of the Ancients; Or, Sex in ReligionProject Gutenberg ebook #639
More book examples (3)
An obelisk looming up stately and cold in your dreams is the forerunner of melancholy tidings.
Gustavus Hindman MillerTen Thousand Dreams Interpreted; Or, What's in a Dream A Scientific and Practical ExpositionProject Gutenberg ebook #926
The largest and most beautifully executed obelisk; still standing at Karnak, bears her name.
H. E. (Henry Edward) BirdChess History and ReminiscencesProject Gutenberg ebook #4902
Like an obelisk towards which the principal streets of a town converge, the strong will of a proud spirit stands prominent and commanding in the middle of the Art of War.
Carl von ClausewitzOn WarTranslated by J. J. (James John) GrahamProject Gutenberg ebook #1946