Obelisk

/ˈɒbəlɪsk/ · noun

Meaning

(architecture) A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument..

Definitions by Sense

1. (architecture) A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.
2. (typography) Synonym of obelus.
3. (virology) An RNA structure similar to a viroid, with a rod-like secondary structure, which comprises its own phylogenetic group.
4. (entomology, of a dragonfly) To adopt the obelisk posture; to point the tip of the abdomen towards the sun.

Example Sentences

"The clay envelope is Sumerian. It is from the third millennium B.C. It was dug up from the city of Eridu is southern Iraq. The black stele or obelisk is the Code of Hammurabi, which dates from about 1750 B.C.

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.

Dragonflies that spend the day in full sun may obelisk to minimize the sunlight striking the body. An obelisking dragonfly looks like it's doing a headstand[…]

Synonyms for obelisk

Antonyms for obelisk

Related Words

Word Forms

• obelisks
• obelisc
• obelisking
• obelisked

Usage Notes

Choose a synonym only when it preserves the intended meaning, tone, and grammar of the full sentence.

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