Word
obelisk
UK/ˈɒbəlɪsk/
Definition
n. a tall, thin stone monument that looks like a pyramid with a flat top. It was often used in ancient Egypt to mark the tombs of kings.
n. a tall, four-sided, tapering monument that ends in a pyramid-like shape. Typically constructed from a single block of stone and associated with ancient Egyptian and Roman architecture.
Examples
“The ancient obelisk stands in the center of the square.”
“Tourists gathered to see the massive granite obelisk that had been transported from Egypt to the city park.”
“The towering obelisk served as a sundial and a symbol of the sun god, reflecting the architectural sophistication of the civilization that erected it over three millennia ago.”
Examples
simple
“The ancient obelisk stands in the center of the square.”
contextual
“Tourists gathered to see the massive granite obelisk that had been transported from Egypt to the city park.”
complex
“The towering obelisk served as a sundial and a symbol of the sun god, reflecting the architectural sophistication of the civilization that erected it over three millennia ago.”
Etymology
From Middle French obelisque, from Latin obeliscus (“obelisk”), from Ancient Greek ὀβελίσκος (obelískos), diminutive of ὀβελός (obelós, “needle”). Compare obelus.
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Domain
Scan code
englishreference.com/q/obelisk