cusp

[ kuhsp ]

/ kʌsp /

noun

a point or pointed end.

Anatomy, Zoology, Botany. a point, projection, or elevation, as on the crown of a tooth.

Also called spinode. Geometry. a point where two branches of a curve meet, end, and are tangent.

Architecture. a decorative device, used especially in Gothic architecture to vary the outlines of intradoses or to form architectural foils, consisting of a pair of curves tangent to the real or imaginary line defining the area decorated and meeting at a point within the area.

Astronomy. a point of a crescent, especially of the moon.

Astrology.

the zodiacal degree that marks the beginning of a house or a sign.
Informal. a person born on the first day of a sign.

a point that marks the beginning of a change: on the cusp of a new era.

Origin of cusp

First recorded in 1575–85, cusp is from the Latin word cuspis a point

OTHER WORDS FROM cusp

cusp·al, adjective

Words nearby cusp

cushty, cushy, cusk, cusk-eel, cuso, cusp, cusp height, cuspal, cuspate, cusped, cuspid

British Dictionary definitions for cuspal

cusp

/ (kʌsp) /

noun

any of the small elevations on the grinding or chewing surface of a tooth

any of the triangular flaps of a heart valve

a point or pointed end

Also called: spinode geometry a point at which two arcs of a curve intersect and at which the two tangents are coincident

architect a carving at the meeting place of two arcs

astronomy either of the points of a crescent moon or of a satellite or inferior planet in a similar phase

astrology any division between houses or signs of the zodiac

Word Origin for cusp

C16: from Latin cuspis point, pointed end

Medical definitions for cuspal (1 of 2)

cuspal

[ kŭs′pəl ]

adj.

Relating to a cusp.

Medical definitions for cuspal (2 of 2)

cusp

[ kŭsp ]

n.

A pointed or rounded projection on the chewing surface of a tooth.

A triangular fold or flap of a heart valve.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

cusp

noun

Origin of cusp

OTHER WORDS FROM cusp

Words nearby cusp

British Dictionary definitions for cuspal

noun

Word Origin for cusp

Medical definitions for cuspal (1 of 2)

adj.

Medical definitions for cuspal (2 of 2)

n.

BROWSE DICTIONARY

Learning

cusp

noun

Origin of cusp

OTHER WORDS FROM cusp

Words nearby cusp

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []) .push({}); British Dictionary definitions for cuspal

noun

Word Origin for cusp

Medical definitions for cuspal (1 of 2)

adj.

Medical definitions for cuspal (2 of 2)

n.

British Dictionary definitions for cuspal