1. a symbol (÷) used to indicate division in mathematics
2. a mark (− or ÷) used in ancient manuscripts to mark a passage as spurious or doubtful
Usage: historical; textual criticism

Examples

• The teacher wrote 12 ÷ 3 = 4 on the board, pointing to the obelus between the numbers.
• Students learned that the obelus is another name for the division symbol.
• In elementary math, children first encounter the obelus when learning basic division.
• The ancient scholar marked questionable passages with an obelus in the margin.
• Medieval scribes used the obelus to indicate textual problems in manuscripts.
• The obelus appears less frequently in modern mathematical notation than the slash symbol.