vertex

[ vur-teks ]

noun

, plural ver·tex·es, ver·ti·ces [vur, -t, uh, -seez].

1. the highest point of something; apex; summit; top:

   the vertex of a mountain.

2. Anatomy, Zoology. the crown or top of the head.
3. Craniometry. the highest point on the midsagittal plane of the skull or head viewed from the left side when the skull or head is in the Frankfurt horizontal.
4. Astronomy. a point in the celestial sphere toward which or from which the common motion of a group of stars is directed.
5. Geometry.
   1. the point farthest from the base:

      the vertex of a cone or of a pyramid.

   2. a point in a geometrical solid common to three or more sides.
   3. the intersection of two sides of a plane figure.

vertex

/ ˈvɜːtɛks /

noun

1. the highest point
2. maths
   1. the point opposite the base of a figure
   2. the point of intersection of two sides of a plane figure or angle
   3. the point of intersection of a pencil of lines or three or more planes of a solid figure
3. astronomy a point in the sky towards which a star stream appears to move
4. anatomy the crown of the head

vertex

/ vûr′tĕks′ /

, Plural vertices vûr′tĭ-sēz′

1. The point at which the sides of an angle intersect.
2. The point of a triangle, cone, or pyramid that is opposite to and farthest away from its base.
3. A point of a polyhedron at which three or more of the edges intersect.

Word History and Origins

Origin of vertex¹

First recorded in 1560–70; from Latin: “a whirl, top (of the head),” equivalent to vert(ere) “to turn” + -ex (stem -ic- ) noun suffix

Word History and Origins

Origin of vertex¹

C16: from Latin: highest point, from vertere to turn

Example Sentences

Casgevy, developed by the company Vertex, is the first approved therapy to use Crispr-technology.

From BBC

Vertex Pharmaceuticals recently reported positive results for a non-opioid painkiller, one of several medications the Boston-based drugmaker has been developing for various forms of pain.

From Seattle Times

The Associated Press spoke with Vertex’s chief scientist Dr. David Altshuler about the company’s research and development plans.

From Seattle Times

Q: Why is Vertex interested in new drugs for treating pain?

From Seattle Times

Vertex has been working on this for 20 years, and the insight that led to the medicines actually came from studies of people who had a rare condition where they are insensitive to pain.

From Seattle Times