Where does “obelus” come from?

obelus (English) comes from Ancient Greek ὀβελός, from Ancient Greek βέλος, from Proto-Indo-European gʷélHos, from Proto-Indo-European gʷelH- — to throw, reach, pierce; to hit by throwing.

obelus (English): A symbol resembling a horizontal line (–), sometimes together with one or two dots (for example, ⨪ or ÷), which was used in ancient manuscripts and texts to mark a word or passage as doubtful or spurious, or redundant; an obelisk

Definitions

  1. A symbol resembling a horizontal line (–), sometimes together with one or two dots (for example, ⨪ or ÷), which was used in ancient manuscripts and texts to mark a word or passage as doubtful or spurious, or redundant; an obelisk

Ancestry of “obelus”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Ancient Greekὀβελόςa spit, rod; a horizontal line
2Ancient Greekβέλοςmissile, arrow, dart; weapon; something quickly...
3Proto-Indo-EuropeangʷélHos—
4Proto-Indo-EuropeangʷelH-to throw, reach, pierce; to hit by throwing

Words derived from “obelus”

Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷelH- →Every word from Proto-Indo-European gʷélHos →Every word from Ancient Greek βέλος →