polygon
UK /ˈpɒlɪɡən/ · US /ˈpɑliˌɡɑn/ noun
Forms polygons
- noun (geometry) A plane figure bounded by edges that are all straight lines.
- noun (geometry) The boundary of such a figure.
- noun (geometry, more generally) A figure comprising vertices and (not necessarily straight) edges, alternatingly.
- noun (geometry) Such a figure and its interior, taken as a whole.
Synonyms
Etymology
From Ancient Greek πολύγωνον (polúgōnon), from πολύς (polús, “many”) + γωνία (gōnía, “angle”), equivalent to poly- + -gon.
Webster’s 1913
- noun A plane figure having many angles, and consequently many sides; esp., one whose perimeter consists of more than four sides; any figure having many angles. Polygon of forces (Mech.), a polygonal figure, the sides of which, taken successively, represent, in length and direction, several forces acting simultaneously upon one point, so that the side necessary to complete the figure represents the resultant of those forces. Cf. Parallelogram of forces, under Parallelogram.
Etymology [Gr. polygone.]
Sources: Wiktionary · WordNet 3.0 · Webster’s 1913 — from the Wiktionary entry “polygon”, CC BY-SA 4.0. Details