obelisk

[ ob-uh-lisk ]
/ ˈɒb ə lɪsk /

noun

a tapering, four-sided shaft of stone, usually monolithic and having a pyramidal apex.
something resembling such a shaft.
an obelus.
Printing. dagger(def 2).

Origin of obelisk

1540–50; < Latin obeliscus < Greek obelískos small spit, equivalent to obel(ós) spit, pointed pillar + -iskos diminutive suffix

OTHER WORDS FROM obelisk

ob·e·lis·cal, adjective ob·e·lis·koid, adjective

Example sentences from the Web for obelisk

British Dictionary definitions for obelisk

obelisk
/ (ˈɒbɪlɪsk) /

noun

a stone pillar having a square or rectangular cross section and sides that taper towards a pyramidal top, often used as a monument in ancient Egypt
printing another name for dagger (def. 2)

Derived forms of obelisk

obeliscal, adjective obeliskoid, adjective

Word Origin for obelisk

C16: via Latin from Greek obeliskos a little spit, from obelos spit