obelus
Concise Oxford English Dictionary © 2008 Oxford University Press:
obelus /ˈɒb(ə)ləs/
▶noun (pl. obeli /-lʌɪ, -liː/)
- 1 a symbol (†) used as a reference mark in printed matter, or to indicate that a person is deceased.
- 2 a mark (– or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to mark a word or passage as spurious or doubtful.
– origin ME: via L. from Gk obelos ‘pointed pillar’, also ‘critical mark’.
'obelus' also found in these Oxford entries:
