Search results
Results from the WOW.Com Content Network
The meaning of OBELUS is a symbol — or ÷ used in ancient manuscripts to mark a questionable passage.
An obelus (plural: obeluses or obeli) is a term in codicology and latterly in typography that refers to a historical annotation mark which has resolved to three modern meanings: Division sign ÷; Dagger † Commercial minus sign ⁒ (limited geographical area of use)
An obelus typically looks like this: ÷, a horizontal line with dots above and below. It's familiar to anyone who's done arithmetic problems such as 12÷3=X. The original obelus conveyed "remove or cut this" in a text, with just a line symbolizing a dart or dagger.
obelus (plural obeluses or obeli)(typography) (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.
the symbol − or ÷, used in ancient documents to show that part of the text may not be correct or is not necessary: Biblical names are marked with a warning obelus. The obeli indicate a problem with the text.
obelus in American English. (ˈɑbələs) noun Word forms: plural -li (-ˌlai) a mark (− or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to point out spurious, corrupt, doubtful, or superfluous words or passages. Most material © 2005, 1997, 1991 by Penguin Random House LLC.
Obelus definition: a mark (− or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to point out spurious, corrupt, doubtful, or superfluous words or passages.. See examples of OBELUS used in a sentence.
n. pl. ob·e·li (-lī′) 1. A mark (— or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to indicate a doubtful or spurious passage. 2. Printing See obelisk. [Middle English, from Late Latin obelus, from Greek obelos, a spit, obelus.] American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition.
Overview. obelus. Quick Reference. In printing, a symbol (†) used as a reference mark in printed matter, or to indicate that a person is deceased; also called dagger. Obelus is also the name for a mark (– or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to mark a word or passage as spurious, corrupt, or doubtful.
Obelus definition: A mark (— or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to indicate a doubtful or spurious passage.