Obelus (noun)
o-bel-ai
A symbol (†) used as a reference mark in printed matter, or to indicate that a person is deceased. / A mark (– or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to mark a word or passage as spurious, corrupt or doubtful.
Late Middle English via Latin from Greek obelos ‘pointed pillar’, also ‘critical mark’.
Example sentences
“The obelus in the text indicated he was long dead.”
