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 People’s Bank of China is on the cusp of launching a digital yuan, which many believe will help China weaken the influence of the greenback in global trade.

From Fortune

Here’s how confident Jeff Sprecher is that he’s on the cusp of transforming the lengthy, paper-heavy slog of getting a home loan into a fully digitized snap.

From Fortune

The 2020 college football season is looking less and less likely, with Power Five conferences reportedly on the cusp of calling off or at least postponing fall sports.

From FiveThirtyEight

Curie was also on the cusp of announcing that it had struck some deals with fitness studios to carry its deodorant.

From Digiday

Unlike most well-known auroras, the cusp type can be seen midday.

From Science News For Students

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

More About Cusp

What is a cusp?

Most often, cusp is used figuratively to mean a turning point or a point that marks a new beginning, as in Jorge was on the cusp of a scientific breakthrough when his grant money ran out.

Literally, a cusp is a point or pointed end, as with the peak of a mountain.

Cusp also has several specialized uses, too. In anatomy and related fields, a cusp is the tip, as on a tooth. Your dentist might refer to your cuspid and bicuspid teeth. These are teeth with one point and two points, respectively.

In architecture, a cusp is the apex of two curves that come to a point, found especially in Gothic arches.

And in astronomy, a cusp is the point of a crescent, such as with the moon.

Example: We are on the cusp of a great discovery.

Where does cusp come from?

The first records of the term cusp come from the 1570s. It comes from the Latin cuspis, meaning “a point.”

You’re likely to hear the phrase on the cusp. Literally this means “on the border between two things.” This can be literal, as with borderlines drawn between properties or with someone who is standing right on the edge of something about to drop off of it. However, it’s more often figurative, such as referring to the space between or overlap of two concepts or someone being about to do something. For example, someone born on the first day of a new zodiac sign is said to be on the cusp of the sign that came before it. And someone can say they are on the cusp of a victory or a failure.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to cusp? 

• cuspal (adjective)
• cuspate (adjective)
• cusped (adjective)

What are some synonyms for cusp?

• edge
• end
• point

What are some words that share a root or word element with cusp? 

• cuspate
• cuspid
• cusped

What are some words that often get used in discussing cusp?

• astrology
• crescent
• tooth
• era

How is cusp used in real life?

Cusp is most often used figuratively to describe being on the verge of something.

When you buy Christmas gifts on the cusp of arriving on time and arriving late and you have no way of knowing when exactly they'll arrive.

Plz FedEx, gimme that tracking number. pic.twitter.com/3wA7nGLMmH

— Merdy🪶Burbtuber🐥 (@Merdyburd) December 20, 2021

i'm sorry to interrupt, it's just i'm constantly on the cusp of trying to kiss you.

— rena (@renalovelis) October 7, 2015

Feelin inspired. Headin to the studio to make some music. We are on the cusp of greatness. #youdontevenknowwhatscomin

— Jake Miller (@jakemiller) April 19, 2014

 

Try using cusp!

Is cusp used correctly in the following sentence?

I was on the cusp of failing history class when I got an A that saved my grade.