obelus

[ ob-uh-luhs ]

Phonetic (Standard)IPA

noun

, plural ob·e·li [ob, -, uh, -lahy].

a mark (− or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to point out spurious, corrupt, doubtful, or superfluous words or passages.

obelus

/ ˈɒbɪləs /

a mark (— or ÷) used in editions of ancient documents to indicate spurious words or passages
See dagger
another name for dagger

Origin of obelus¹

1350–1400; Middle English < Late Latin < Greek obelós spit, pointed pillar

Origin of obelus¹

C14: via Late Latin from Greek obelos spit

The purpose of the doubly pointed obelus is plainly indicated here, as it accompanies two of these catchwords.

But such was not the usage of Budaeus; he employed the obelus merely to call attention to something that interested him.

In his peculiar notation, Asides are marked by inverted commas, and obvious stage business is indicated by an obelus.

April 19, 2024tortuous

[tawr-choo-uhs ]

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