trapezoidal
Meaning
having the shape of a trapezoid (a quadrilateral with at least one pair of parallel sides).
Structure
Usage
the plot of land was an irregular, trapezoidal shape.
the engineer specified a trapezoidal thread for the lead screw.
a trapezoidal prism has two parallel, trapezoidal faces.
Etymology
The word 'trapezoidal' is built upon the Greek root 'trapezion', a diminutive of 'trapeza' meaning "table", which itself derives from 'tetra-' (four) and 'peza' (foot), literally a "four-footed" object. The suffix '-oid', also of Greek origin, was attached to indicate a shape that resembles or has the form of a trapezium. Finally, the Latin adjectival suffix '-al' was added to form the Modern English adjective, completing the logical journey from a literal four-legged table to the abstract geometric shape defined by its parallel sides.
Analysis
- trapez: from greek 'trapezion', meaning "small table" (from 'trapeza' meaning "table"). - oid: from greek '-oeidēs', meaning "having the form of, resembling". - al: from latin '-alis', a suffix forming adjectives meaning "of or pertaining to".