corner
UK[ˈkɔːnə(r)]US[ˈkɔːrnər]
n
the point or area where two lines, edges, or sides meet.
n
a place where two streets meet.
n
a difficult or inescapable position.
v
to force a person or animal into a place or situation from which escape is difficult.
v
to gain control of the supply of a particular commodity.
Etymology
the word 'corner' entered english in the late 13th century from the anglo-french 'cornere', which itself evolved from the old french 'corniere' and ultimately from the vulgar latin 'cornarium', a derivative of the latin 'cornu', meaning 'horn' or 'projection'. the semantic shift from 'horn' to 'corner' is a classic example of metaphorical extension, where the pointed, projecting shape of an animal's horn was used to describe the projecting angle where two surfaces meet. this latin root 'cornu' can be traced back to the proto-indo-european root 'ker-', meaning 'horn' or 'head', which also gave rise to words like 'horn' and 'cranium'. the modern english meanings, from a physical angle to a difficult position or a market monopoly, all logically extend from this core idea of a projecting, defining point or angle from which movement is constrained.
Analysis
the word 'corner' is a simplex word derived from a single, indivisible latin root.
Examples
she placed the vase in the corner of the room.
he waited for me at the corner of fifth avenue and main street.
the interview questions cornered him, forcing him to admit the truth.