A tall, four-sided stone pillar that becomes narrower toward the top and ends in a pyramid shape. It is often built as a monument or to honor someone or something.
From Latin “obeliscus,” from Greek “obeliskos,” meaning “little spit” or “small pointed stake,” a diminutive of “obelos” (spit, pointed pillar). The shape reminded people of a long pointed stick.
Many famous obelisks in Europe actually came from ancient Egypt and were moved thousands of miles. The word’s connection to a “little skewer” is a vivid image hiding inside this very serious, monumental shape.
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