Obelisk

Alternative forms

• obelisc

Origin

1569. From Middle French obelisque, from Latin obeliscus ("obelisk"), from Ancient Greek ὀβελίσκος, diminutive of ὀβελός (obelos, "needle").

Full definition of obelisk

Noun

1. A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.
• 2012-01, w, The Washington Monument, The Washington Monument is often described as an obelisk, and sometimes even as a “true obelisk,” even though it is not. A true obelisk is a monolith, a pylon formed out of a single piece of stone.
2. (printing) The dagger sign (†), especially when used as a reference mark.