French word

obélisque

Pronunciation

IPA/obelisk/

Meaning

  • masculine nounobelisk

Example

Il y a un obélisque devant le musée.

There is an obelisk in front of the museum.

Illustration for obélisque (obelisk)

More examples

On a pris une photo de l'obélisque.

We took a photo of the obelisk.

Core concept

A single tall stone shaft with four sides that narrows to a pointed top and stands out in a public place.

Common phrases

  • prendre une photo de l'obélisque

    take a photo of the obelisk

  • près de l'obélisque

    near the obelisk

Similar words

monument: A structure or statue built to commemorate a historical event or person.
colonne: An upright round or square support used in buildings or as a freestanding ornament.

Definition in French

Grand monument de pierre, généralement monolithe, à section quadrangulaire et sommet pointu, érigé comme repère ou pour commémorer un événement ou une personne.

Word origin

French obélisque comes from Latin obeliscus, borrowed from Greek obeliskos, a diminutive of obelos, meaning a spit or pointed object.

Usage tips

  • Obélisque is masculine, so the usual forms are un obélisque and l'obélisque.

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