obelus

noun2

1. •
   (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; an obelisk.

   • He, therefore, published another edition. In this he made few alterations in the text itself, but shewed by obeluses and asterisks, where it differed from the Septuagint, or the Hebrew. — 1797
2. •
   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; an obelisk.