obelisks
/ˈɒb.ə.lɪsks/
NOUN
1. Tall tapered stone monuments
Tall, square, tapered stone monoliths topped with pyramidal points, frequently used as monuments.
1.1. Monumental stone structures
Tall, upright stone structures with square cross-sections that taper toward pyramidal tops and are erected as monuments or landmarks.
Synonyms
- monoliths
- monuments
- needles
- pillars
Examples
- Archaeologists uncovered ancient artifacts near the towering obelisks.
- Tourists gathered around the majestic obelisks to capture photos.
- In the desert, the landscape was dotted with sand-covered obelisks.
- The marketplace featured intricate carvings on miniature obelisks.
- Scholars studied the inscriptions on the weathered obelisks for clues to the past.
Related Words
- crosses
- gravestones
- headstones
- markers
- memorials
- plaques
- shrines
- stones
- tablets
- tombstones
- columns
- pedestals
NOUN
2. Symbols used in ancient manuscripts
Symbols resembling a horizontal line, sometimes accompanied by one or two dots, used in ancient manuscripts and texts to mark words or passages as doubtful, spurious, or redundant.
NOUN
3. Dagger-shaped reference symbols
Dagger symbols (†) used in printed matter as reference marks for footnotes or marginal notes, beside a person's name to indicate death, or beside a date to indicate a person's death date.