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Glite Dictionary
➗ A division sign † A footnote mark 🗿 A stone pillar
obelus

obelus

9.9
A symbol like † that shows a footnote or marks that someone has died
  • noun
  • /ˈoʊbələs/
  • Specialized
translation icon : obelisco
  • The editor used an obelus to mark a special note at the bottom of the page.

Examples

  • An obelus marks a footnote.

  • Did you see the obelus next to that name?

  • The historian placed an obelus next to the king's name to show he had died.

  • In the document, an obelus indicated which authors were deceased.

  • The author used the obelus at the end of the sentence to direct readers to a footnote.

  • In the manuscript, the obelus is placed next to the name to indicate that the person has died.

  • You should always look for the obelus symbol if you want to find additional references in academic texts.

Synonyms

asterisk
vsobelus
27 4.1

A small mark like a star used in writing to show a note or special meaning

is a different symbol used for footnotes and as a marker of death
obelisk
vsobelus
  • Specialized
1 8.8

A small cross-shaped mark used after an asterisk to show a second footnote

is used more broadly and also marks death rather than only second references
signum
vsobelus
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A mark used in books and music to show meaning or special instructions

is narrower, used specifically to mark footnotes or to indicate death

Surface Forms

obelus singular
obeli plural

Etymology

Obelus comes from Greek obelos, 'spit' or 'pointed stick', and was used by ancient readers as a sharp mark beside text. This dagger-like sign (†) came to show a footnote or to mark that someone had died, which is why an obelus can mean a note mark or a death mark.