Illustration of ankh
ankh
noun
ˈäŋk 
: a cross having a loop for its upper vertical arm and serving especially in ancient Egypt as an emblem of life
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web After slashing their victims’ throats with blades hidden in matching golden ankh pendants, John and Miriam drink them up and immediately burn the remains in a basement incinerator. 
Rina Nkulu, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2021 This incarnation of Death was not a scythe-wielding Grim Reaper but rather a cute goth girl with a spunky attitude and a pretty ankh symbol. Christian Holub, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2020 The ancient Egyptian symbol for life, the ankh—a cross shape with an oval loop—influenced the development of the cross known as the crux ansata, used extensively in Coptic symbolism. National Geographic, 19 Apr. 2019 In ancient Egypt the ankh was the symbol of both eternal life and a sacred metal, copper. Emily Dudding, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Mar. 2014 Badu—an Afrofuturistic artist who uses fictional worlds, technology, and outer space in her videos—was perhaps the most stylistically influential with her larger-than-life head wraps, afro-wigs, face paint, and Egyptian ankh rings. Taylor Hosking, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2018 Holding a sparkling ankh, his cortege paused at Osiris's signature tables where he was cascaded with confetti and honorifics. Michael Dumas, AL.com, 7 Feb. 2018 While everyone is grabbing the popcorn for the Blac Chyna-Rob Kardashian beef, the real donnybrook was happening Monday on TV One’s News One Now, when host Roland Martin had ankh-right leader Umar Abdullah-Johnson on his morning show. Michael Harriot, The Root, 11 July 2017 See More
Rina Nkulu, Vulture, 30 Oct. 2021 This incarnation of Death was not a scythe-wielding Grim Reaper but rather a cute goth girl with a spunky attitude and a pretty ankh symbol. Christian Holub, EW.com, 22 Aug. 2020 The ancient Egyptian symbol for life, the ankh—a cross shape with an oval loop—influenced the development of the cross known as the crux ansata, used extensively in Coptic symbolism. National Geographic, 19 Apr. 2019 In ancient Egypt the ankh was the symbol of both eternal life and a sacred metal, copper. Emily Dudding, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Mar. 2014 Badu—an Afrofuturistic artist who uses fictional worlds, technology, and outer space in her videos—was perhaps the most stylistically influential with her larger-than-life head wraps, afro-wigs, face paint, and Egyptian ankh rings. Taylor Hosking, The Atlantic, 1 Mar. 2018 Holding a sparkling ankh, his cortege paused at Osiris's signature tables where he was cascaded with confetti and honorifics. Michael Dumas, AL.com, 7 Feb. 2018 While everyone is grabbing the popcorn for the Blac Chyna-Rob Kardashian beef, the real donnybrook was happening Monday on TV One’s News One Now, when host Roland Martin had ankh-right leader Umar Abdullah-Johnson on his morning show. Michael Harriot, The Root, 11 July 2017 See More Word History
Etymology
Egyptian ʽnḫ live
First Known Use
1854, in the meaning defined above