Polygons

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. Shapes defined by a finite number of straight edges that connect to form a closed figure, which may vary in types like regular or irregular
2. Geometric entities with straight sides and angles, encompassing a variety of configurations such as triangles and pentagons
3. A closed shape in a plane formed by a sequence of straight line segments connecting end to end without crossing

Etymology: "Polygons" is the plural of "polygon," a shape whose many sides and corners are built from the Greek words for "many" and "angle." The Greek "polúgōnon" joins "polús," meaning "many," with "gōnía," meaning "angle," so the name describes a figure with many angles, which is exactly what it is. The same pattern runs through other geometry terms: "poly-" marks many of something, and "-gon" comes from "gōnía," the same root that gave us words for corners and knees in older Greek. Because the name is a straightforward compound, the most useful detail is the literal sense: a polygon is named for its angles rather than its sides, even though sides are what most people notice first.

Synonyms: shapes, figures