obelisk

Pronunciation: /ˈɔbəlɪsk/

Reading level: hard

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a stone pillar having a rectangular cross section tapering towards a pyramidal top
  2. noun a character used in printing to indicate a cross reference or footnote

Etymology

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

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