double dagger
LowFormal, Technical
Definition
Meaning
A typographical symbol (‡) used primarily as a third-order reference mark after the asterisk (*) and dagger (†).
In broader usage, it can refer to any symbol or mark indicating a third level of annotation, footnote, or cross-reference. In heraldry, it may refer to a specific charge. It is also sometimes used metaphorically to denote something of secondary or tertiary importance.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is highly domain-specific. Its primary meaning is fixed within typography and academic publishing. Outside these fields, it is rarely used and may be misunderstood.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning or usage. The symbol itself is standardized internationally in typography.
Connotations
Neutral and technical in both varieties.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both UK and US English, confined to specialist contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The double dagger (‡) indicates...See the note marked with a double dagger.It is referenced by a double dagger.Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in footnotes and references in some disciplines (e.g., law, linguistics, classics) to indicate a third level of annotation.
Everyday
Extremely rare and unrecognised by most speakers.
Technical
Standard term in typography, publishing, and heraldry for the specific symbol.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The editor will double-dagger that footnote.
- Key terms are double-daggered for tertiary references.
American English
- The author double-daggered the third citation.
- Please double-dagger these ancillary notes.
adverb
British English
- The term is marked double-dagger.
- It is referenced double-dagger in the appendix.
American English
- The note appears double-dagger.
- Cite it double-dagger in the text.
adjective
British English
- The double-dagger reference is on page 45.
- Look for the double-dagger symbol.
American English
- Check the double-dagger footnote.
- It's in the double-dagger section.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- In some books, you might see a strange symbol like a cross (‡) called a double dagger.
- The double dagger is used for a third footnote when the asterisk and single dagger have already been employed.
- The manuscript's critical apparatus uses an asterisk for textual variants, a dagger for editorial emendations, and a double dagger for conjectural readings.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a dagger (†), then double it – two crosses make the double dagger (‡). It's the 'third in line' after * and †.
Conceptual Metaphor
HIERARCHY IS SEQUENCE (The double dagger represents a third step or tier in a sequence of importance or reference).
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not translate literally as 'двойной кинжал' in technical contexts; the correct term is 'двойной крестик' or 'двойной обелиск'.
- The symbol itself (‡) may be unfamiliar.
Common Mistakes
- Using it as a general symbol without first using * and †.
- Pronouncing 'dagger' with a hard /g/ as in 'bigger'.
- Confusing it with the musical 'double sharp' symbol.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the term 'double dagger' most commonly used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a typographical symbol (‡) used as a third-order footnote or reference mark.
Only after you have already used an asterisk (*) and a single dagger (†) for first and second references within the same context.
No, it is a specialist term with very low frequency outside of publishing, academia, and heraldry.
In Unicode, it is U+2021. In many word processors, you can insert it via the Symbol menu or by using a specific keyboard shortcut (e.g., Alt+0134 in some Windows programs).