obelisk

The story

1. Ancient Greek · derived fromὀβελίσκος
2. Latin · derived fromobeliscus“obelisk”
3. Middle French · derived fromobelisque
4. English todayobelisk

From Middle French obelisque, from Latin obeliscus (“obelisk”), from Ancient Greek ὀβελίσκος (obelískos), diminutive of ὀβελός (obelós, “needle”). Compare obelus.

First known use, by meaning

• from mid 16th c. A tall, square, tapered, stone monolith topped with a pyramidal point, frequently used as a monument.