obelus
[ ob-uh-luh s ]
/ ˈɒb ə ləs /
noun, plural ob·e·li [ob-uh-lahy] /ˈɒb əˌlaɪ/.
a mark (− or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to point out spurious, corrupt, doubtful, or superfluous words or passages.
Origin of obelus
1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin < Greek
obelós spit, pointed pillar
Words nearby obelus
obeisance,
obelia,
obelion,
obelisk,
obelize,
obelus,
obento,
oberammergau,
oberhausen,
oberland,
oberlin
Example sentences from the Web for obeli
The plan of expressing suspicion by obeli was a good one—it raised the question of genuineness without foreclosing it.
Studies on Homer and the Homeric Age, Vol. 1 of 3 |W. E. Gladstone
British Dictionary definitions for obeli
obelus
/ (ˈɒbɪləs) /
noun plural -li (-ˌlaɪ)
a mark (— or ÷) used in editions of ancient documents to indicate spurious words or passages
another name for dagger (def. 2)
Word Origin for obelus
C14: via Late Latin from Greek
obelos spit