heptagon
Americannoun
noun
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of heptagon
First recorded in 1560–70, heptagon is from the Greek word heptágōnos seven-cornered. See hepta-, -gon
Explanation
A heptagon is a polygon with seven sides, just as an octagon has eight sides. With seven sides, a heptagon must be lucky. Triangles and rectangles are two of the most common polygons (enclosed shapes), but there are many more, including the heptagon, a seven-sided polygon. You don't see many of these in nature bigger than molecules, but people have found several uses for this seven-sided figure, most commonly in coins: the British 20p and 50p pieces are both heptagons. The roots are Greek, and this word shares the hept prefix with other seven-related words such as heptad, heptameter, and heptathlete.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Heptagon, hep′ta-gon, n. a plane figure with seven angles and seven sides.—adj.
From Chambers's Twentieth Century Dictionary (part 2 of 4: E-M) by Various
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
