obelisk
C1Formal, Academic, Historical
Definition
Meaning
A tall, four-sided, narrow stone pillar that tapers to a pyramid-like point at the top.
1. A typographical symbol (†) used as a reference mark (a dagger). 2. Something resembling an obelisk in shape, such as a tall, thin monument or even a pencil or pine tree.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily denotes a physical monument. The typographical meaning is highly specialized and restricted to publishing and academic contexts. The extended, metaphorical use ('a tall, thin object') is poetic or literary.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant differences in meaning. Spelling is identical. The word 'obelisk' itself is used identically.
Connotations
Connotations are identical, evoking ancient history, Egyptology, monumental architecture, and permanence.
Frequency
Equally low-frequency and formal in both dialects.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
The [ADJECTIVE] obelisk [VERB]...An obelisk [PREPOSITION] [LOCATION]Vocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None directly associated; the word is too specific.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in archaeology, history, art history, and architecture to describe specific monuments.
Everyday
Rare. Might be used when discussing travel to Egypt or historical sites.
Technical
Used in typography for the dagger symbol (†). Used in surveying/engineering for a type of benchmark.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- The landscape was obelisked by the ancient monument.
- The tower obelisks over the city square.
American English
- The spire obelisks above the downtown skyline.
- Granite columns obelisk the memorial grounds.
adverb
British English
- The rock rose obeliskly from the plain. (Extremely rare/poetic)
American English
- The trees stood obeliskly in a straight row. (Extremely rare/poetic)
adjective
British English
- The obelisk-like structure dominated the horizon.
- He drew an obelisk shape in the margin.
American English
- The building had an obelisk silhouette against the sky.
- She noted the obelisk form of the Washington Monument.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- We saw a big stone obelisk in the park.
- The picture showed an Egyptian obelisk.
- The ancient obelisk in the city centre is very tall.
- They built an obelisk to remember the war.
- The granite obelisk, inscribed with hieroglyphs, was transported from Egypt in the 19th century.
- Scholars debate the original purpose and symbolism of the ancient obelisks.
- The typographical obelisk (†) is used to indicate a footnote when the asterisk has already been employed.
- His analysis focused on the obelisk not merely as an architectural form but as a political statement of imperial power.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'OBELISK is a tall stone BLOCK that risks being pointy.'
Conceptual Metaphor
MONUMENTS ARE ETERNAL MEMORIES; HEIGHT IS IMPORTANCE/POWER.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Do not confuse with 'обелиск' – this is a direct and accurate translation for the monument. The typographical symbol (†) is called 'крестик' or 'знак креста'.
Common Mistakes
- Mispronunciation: /oʊˈbɛl.ɪsk/ (oh-BELL-isk). Incorrectly using it for any tall building. Confusing it with 'monolith' (which is a single stone, not necessarily tapered).
Practice
Quiz
In which field would the word 'obelisk' most likely refer to a symbol (†)?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, the Washington Monument is a classic example of a modern obelisk, following the traditional tapered, four-sided design culminating in a pyramidion.
An obelisk is a specific type of monument: a tall, four-sided, tapering stone pillar. 'Monument' is a general term for any structure built to commemorate a person or event.
It comes from the Greek 'obeliskos', a diminutive of 'obelos' meaning 'spit, pointed pillar', which was borrowed from Egyptian.
Rarely and poetically. It is not standard usage. The typical use is as a noun.