Octothorn

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A distinctive geometric figure featuring eight protruding points that is often employed in visual representations and artistic compositions
2. A unique shape characterized by eight outward extensions, commonly used in design and artistic contexts for visual emphasis
3. An eight-pointed geometric form that serves as a notable symbol in various artistic and graphical applications

Etymology: The "#" symbol on a telephone keypad has a name that nobody agrees on how to explain. Most accounts credit someone at Bell Labs with coining "octothorpe" in the late 1960s or early 1970s, but the Bell Labs personnel who recall the episode give conflicting details, and no usage of the word is known from before that. The name is traditionally read as "octo-" plus "thorpe," but that derivation has no supporting evidence. The first element almost certainly refers to the eight ends of the strokes, though the second is most likely just a syllable picked at random. One proponent of the name was reportedly a fan of the athlete Jim Thorpe, which is a possible but unconfirmed link. This spelling, "octothorn," is an alternative form of the same coinage and shares its uncertain history. The lack of any documented record before the Bell Labs period means the origin rests on the recollections of those involved rather than on printed sources from earlier years.