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cusp - 7 dictionary results
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cusp

  [kuhsp]
Use cusp in a Sentence
–noun
1. a point or pointed end.
2. Anatomy, Zoology, Botany. a point, projection, or elevation, as on the crown of a tooth.
3. Also called spinode. Geometry. a point where two branches of a curve meet, end, and are tangent.
4. Architecture. a decorative device, used esp. 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.
5. Astronomy. a point of a crescent, esp. of the moon.
6. Astrology.
a. the zodiacal degree that marks the beginning of a house or a sign.
b. Informal. a person born on the first day of a sign.
7. a point that marks the beginning of a change: on the cusp of a new era.
Origin:
1575–85; < L cuspis a point

Related forms:
cuspal, adjective
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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cusp   (kŭsp)   
n.  
  1. A point or pointed end.
  2. Anatomy
    1. A pointed or rounded projection on the chewing surface of a tooth.
    2. A triangular fold or flap of a heart valve.
  3. Mathematics A point at which a curve crosses itself and at which the two tangents to the curve coincide.
  4. Architecture The point of intersection of two ornamental arcs or curves, such as the inner points of a trefoil.
  5. Astronomy Either point of a crescent moon.
  6. A transitional point or time, as between two astrological signs.

[Latin cuspis, point.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Cusp

Cusp\ (k?sp), n. [L. cuspis, -idis, point, pointed end.]

1. (Arch.) A triangular protection from the intrados of an arch, or from an inner curve of tracery.

2. (Astrol.) The beginning or first entrance of any house in the calculations of nativities, etc.

3. (Astron) The point or horn of the crescent moon or other crescent-shaped luminary.

4. (Math.) A multiple point of a curve at which two or more branches of the curve have a common tangent.

5. (Anat.) A prominence or point, especially on the crown of a tooth.

6. (Bot.) A sharp and rigid point.

Cusp

Cusp\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Cusped (k?spt); p. pr. & vb. n. Cusping.] To furnish with a cusp or cusps.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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cusp 
1585, from L. cuspis "point, spear, pointed end." Astrological use is earliest.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Main Entry: cusp
Pronunciation: 'k&sp
Function: noun
1 : a point on the grinding surface of a tooth
2 : a fold or flap of acardiac valve —cus·pal /'k&s-p&l/ adjective
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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cusp (kŭsp)
n.

  1. A pointed or rounded projection on the chewing surface of a tooth.
  2. A triangular fold or flap of a heart valve.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Cite This Source
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