n.
Pronunciation: -l ə s
Function: noun
Inflected Form: plural ob · e · li \ - ˌ l ī , - ˌ l ē \
Etymology: Middle English, from Late Latin, from Greek obelos spit, pointed pillar, obelus
Date: 14th century
1 : a symbol - or ÷ used in ancient manuscripts to mark a questionable passage
2 : the symbol ÷