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==Origin==
Middle French ''obelisque'', from [[Latin]] ''obeliscus'', from [[Greek]] ''obeliskos'', from diminutive of ''obelos''
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1561]
==Definition==
*1: an upright 4-sided usually monolithic [[pillar]] that [[gradually]] tapers as it rises and terminates in a [[pyramid]]
==Description==
An '''obelisk''' from Ancient Greek: ὀβελίσκος ''obeliskos''; diminutive of ὀβελός ''obelos'', "spit, nail, pointed pillar") is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering [[monument]] which ends in a [[pyramid]]-like shape or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramidion pyramidion] at the top. These were originally called "tekhenu" by their builders, the Ancient Egyptians. The Greeks who saw them used the Greek 'obeliskos' to describe them, and this word passed into Latin and ultimately [[English]]. Ancient obelisks are monolithic; that is, they consist of a single stone. Apart from its shape, this is the major identifying characteristic of an obelisk, as it necessitates the technological ingenuity required to elevate into vertical position a massive rock weighing hundreds of tonnes.
Though this technological capacity exists today, most modern obelisks are made of several stones; some, like the Washington Monument, are buildings.
The term ''stele'' is generally used for other monumental, upright, [[inscribed]] and sculpted stones.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk]
[[Category: Architecture]]
==Origin==
Middle French ''obelisque'', from [[Latin]] ''obeliscus'', from [[Greek]] ''obeliskos'', from diminutive of ''obelos''
*[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/16th_century 1561]
==Definition==
*1: an upright 4-sided usually monolithic [[pillar]] that [[gradually]] tapers as it rises and terminates in a [[pyramid]]
==Description==
An '''obelisk''' from Ancient Greek: ὀβελίσκος ''obeliskos''; diminutive of ὀβελός ''obelos'', "spit, nail, pointed pillar") is a tall, four-sided, narrow tapering [[monument]] which ends in a [[pyramid]]-like shape or [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyramidion pyramidion] at the top. These were originally called "tekhenu" by their builders, the Ancient Egyptians. The Greeks who saw them used the Greek 'obeliskos' to describe them, and this word passed into Latin and ultimately [[English]]. Ancient obelisks are monolithic; that is, they consist of a single stone. Apart from its shape, this is the major identifying characteristic of an obelisk, as it necessitates the technological ingenuity required to elevate into vertical position a massive rock weighing hundreds of tonnes.
Though this technological capacity exists today, most modern obelisks are made of several stones; some, like the Washington Monument, are buildings.
The term ''stele'' is generally used for other monumental, upright, [[inscribed]] and sculpted stones.[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obelisk]
[[Category: Architecture]]
