six-sided
UK[ˌsɪks ˈsaɪdɪd]US[ˌsɪks ˈsaɪdɪd]
adj
Having six sides or surfaces.
Morpheme Breakdown
six
side
ed
six
number
side
surface
ed
adjective suffix
Etymology
The word 'six-sided' is a transparent modern English compound adjective. Its first element, 'six', descends from the Proto-Germanic sehs, a stable numeral with ancient Proto-Indo-European (swéḱs) roots. The second element, 'side', originates from Old English 'sīde', referring to the flank or broad surface of an object, derived from Proto-Germanic sīdō. The adjectival suffix '-ed' is appended to the noun 'side', a productive pattern in English for creating descriptive terms meaning "possessing or provided with" a certain feature. Thus, the literal construction "having six sides" directly and logically describes the geometric property of a hexagon or any similar polyhedron.
Analysis
Structure: six (number) + side (surface) + ed (adjective suffix)
- six: From Old English 'siex', meaning the number six. Germanic origin.
- side: From Old English 'sīde', meaning the flank or lateral surface of something. Germanic origin.
- ed: A suffix forming adjectives from nouns, meaning "having" or "characterized by". Old English origin.
Examples
A standard die is a small, six-sided cube with numbered faces.
The architect designed a unique six-sided pavilion for the garden.
The crystal had a perfectly symmetrical, six-sided structure.