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prettygoodwordobelus (OB-uh-luhs) - n., the typographical symbol ÷ (division sign); the typographical symbol † (dagger).
The former more correctly -- originally used to mark suspect passages in manuscripts, but now almost strictly for division (though it's still sometimes used for a number range in some languages). The latter is now mostly used for an alternate footnote marker, but there's a host of other specialized usages. Both derive from the same source, and comes from the Greek for a spit, or other sharpened stick.
---L.
The former more correctly -- originally used to mark suspect passages in manuscripts, but now almost strictly for division (though it's still sometimes used for a number range in some languages). The latter is now mostly used for an alternate footnote marker, but there's a host of other specialized usages. Both derive from the same source, and comes from the Greek for a spit, or other sharpened stick.
---L.
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Date: 2011-01-13 02:52 am (UTC)no subject
Date: 2011-01-13 03:21 am (UTC)---L.