obelisk UK /ˈɒbəlɪsk/US /ˈɑbəlɪsk/noun 5verb 1forms 3 noun5 •A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.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. — 2012 •A dagger symbol (†), which is used in printed matter as a reference mark to refer the reader to a footnote, marginal note, etc.; beside a person's name to indicate that the person is deceased; or beside a date to indicate that it is a person's death date. •(historical) A symbol resembling a horizontal line (–), sometimes together with one or two dots (for example, ⨪ or ÷), which was used in ancient manuscripts and texts to mark a word or passage as doubtful or spurious, or redundant. •Synonym of obelus. •An RNA structure similar to a viroid, with a rod-like secondary structure, which comprises its own phylogenetic group. verb1 •To adopt the obelisk posture; to point the tip of the abdomen towards the sun.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[…] — 2004 formsobelisked · obelisking · obelisks
