cusp

[ kuhsp ]

noun

1. a point that marks the beginning of a change:

   Our nation is on the cusp of a new era.

   Some of our machines are now getting very old and are on the cusp of being replaced.

2. a point or pointed end:

   The sharp cusp of the mountain pierced through the thick clouds.

3. Anatomy, Zoology, Botany. a point, projection, or elevation, as on the crown of a tooth.
4. Also called spinode. Geometry. a point where two branches of a curve meet, end, and are tangent.
5. Architecture. a decorative device consisting of a pair of curves that are tangent to a real or imaginary line defining the area being decorated, and meet at a point within that area: used especially in Gothic architecture to vary the outlines of intrados or to form architectural foils.
6. Astronomy. a point of a crescent, especially of the moon.
7. Astrology.
   1. the zodiacal degree that marks the separation between consecutive houses or signs:

      Those born on the Cancer/Leo cusp have the vitality and ambition to be successful in their creative endeavors.

   2. Informal. a person born during a time when the sun is at the very end of one sign or at the very beginning of another:

      Virgos and Virgo cusps tend to be shy and somewhat nervous, and they may be undemonstrative.

      I'm an Aries/Pisces cusp with Capricorn rising.

cusp

/ kʌsp /

noun

1. any of the small elevations on the grinding or chewing surface of a tooth
2. any of the triangular flaps of a heart valve
3. a point or pointed end
4. Also calledspinode geometry a point at which two arcs of a curve intersect and at which the two tangents are coincident
5. architect a carving at the meeting place of two arcs
6. astronomy either of the points of a crescent moon or of a satellite or inferior planet in a similar phase
7. astrology any division between houses or signs of the zodiac

Other Words From

• cusp·al adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of cusp¹

First recorded in 1575–85, from Latin cuspis “a point”

Word History and Origins

Origin of cusp¹

C16: from Latin cuspis point, pointed end

Example Sentences

The novel is a near perfect portrayal of the emotions of a young girl on the cusp of womanhood.

From The Daily Beast

France, and indeed Europe, was on the cusp of a new kind of living where governments needed to be efficient.

From The Daily Beast

As the Daily Beast reported earlier this week, Pippa Middleton is on the cusp of signing a deal to be a special reporter for NBC.

From The Daily Beast

These new cases, both real and merely suspected, are coming right as we approach the cusp of influenza season.

From The Daily Beast

“I always read him as an older kind of a guy on the cusp of finishing school and finding a job,” he said.

From The Daily Beast

The specimens from Honduras have a basal cusp on the hinder edge of the lower canine.

From Project Gutenberg

The pierced cusp gives a peculiar lightness and brilliancy to the window, but is not so sublime.

From Project Gutenberg

In every other case the form of the aperture is determined, either by a flat and solid cusp as in 6, or by a pierced cusp as in 4.

From Project Gutenberg

II.; and its derivation from the solid cusp will be understood, at once, from the woodcut Fig.

From Project Gutenberg

The ornaments of the cusp might thus be worked without any troublesome reference to the rest of the arch.

From Project Gutenberg