Obèle
The obèle (male name) (sometimes, obelisk , in Latin obelus , of the Greek ὀϐελός , “stitches”) is, according to its initial form, the handwritten diacritic ÷, sometimes only made up of a horizontal feature - (synonymous: virgula , linea jacens ), equivalent of the typographical indents quadratins.
In modern typography, one calls also obèle a typographical symbol in the shape of cross, † (simple, a obèle ) or ‡ (double, a double obèle ) whose function and mode of use can differ from the old obèles.
Origins and philological use
In Paleography, the obèle (÷), like other diacritics, was invented by Aristarque de Samothrace (v. 220-143 av. J. - C.), a scientist of Alexandria. The obèle was intended to announce the beginning of the worms considered as doubtful in the work of the poets, and mainly of Homère. By extension, it was used to indicate the beginning of any passage interpolated or to cut off ( locus deperditus ), or any addition not attested by the primitive shape of the text. The end of these passages is generally indicated by two superimposed points (: ). Origène, then Saint Jerome made of it great use in their revisions of the text of the Bible. At the Carolingian period, the obèle was adopted by the editors of certain liturgical books (sacramentary).
In the modern editions, the obèle is replaced, to announce the leading modifications of a text, by right hooks, the Astérisque S and the rafters.
Derived typographical uses
The typographical obèle in the shape of cross ( † ) has as an equivalent the more recent form of the Poignard (or the Dague), illustrated well by its English name , represented really thus in some pig iron and cast iron (font faces).
The obèle can be useful, in complement with the Astérisque, like call of note.
The use wants that one uses the asterisk like first call of note, the obèle (simple) like second, the double obèle like third. Beyond three, no convention or use prevails.
Philological use
In the field of the textual Critical , and thus in the old text-editing, the obèles indicate a dubious and/or disputed passage. As follows: passage assured † passage disputed † assured passage .
Biographical and bibliographical uses
Following the name of a person, it announces that she died, and after a date that of a death (funerary connotation of the cross) announces. Its equivalent for the birth date is the asterisk.
Mathematical use
The primitive obèle ÷ obélus (or obelus ) was adopted in mathematics to mean division ÷.
Use in chemistry
The double obèle is used, associated with the hooks, in the representation of a reactional mechanism to indicate a state of transition, namely a molecular intermediary of which the lifespan is only of one fraction of a second.
Data-processing coding
- note: 0x • • indicate a code Hexadécimal; the codes Unicode are always indicated in Hexadécimal.
Related articles
- ✝ Latin cross
- ☨ cross of Lorraine