Fig. 494. Egyptian Obelisk.
Obelisk (ὀβελίσκος, lit. a small spit). Also called a needle. A tall, rectangular, monolithic column, of slightly pyramidal shape, invented by the Egyptians; in nearly every case they are covered from the base to the top, and on all four sides, with hieroglyphic symbols. (Fig. [494].)
Oberon. The king of the fairies.
Obex, R. (objicio, to obstruct). Any contrivance to keep a door closed, such as a bolt, lock, latch, iron bar, &c.
Oblata, Chr. The sacred bread. This word was more commonly applied to the unconsecrated loaf, and Hostia to the consecrated. (For particulars respecting the preparation and the form of oblates, see the article Elements in Smith and Cheetham, Dict. of Christian Antiquities.) In the same manner Oblati were lay-brothers in a monastery who had not taken the vows.
Oblate. Flattened or shortened like the earth at the poles. The earth is an oblate spheroid.
Oblationarium, Chr. A small table placed near the high altar, or at the end of one of the side aisles, on which the people laid their offerings. It was also used, when in the choir, to hold the sacred utensils in place of the credence table. In the Greek Church the oblationarium is still used for the bread, wine, and sacred vessels required in the mass.
Oble, Oblete (Lat. oblata), O. E. The consecrated wafer distributed to communicants at mass.
“Ne Jhesu was nat the oble
That reysed was at the sacre.”