convex

[adjective kon-veks, kuh n-; noun kon-veks]

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adjective

having a surface that is curved or rounded outward.Compare concave(def 1).

Mathematics.

(of a polygon) having all interior angles less than or equal to 180°.
(of a set) having the property that for each pair of points in the set the line joining the points is wholly contained in the set.

noun

a convex surface, part, or thing.

Origin of convex

1565–75; < Latin convexus equivalent to con- con- + -vexus, perhaps < *wek-sos, derivative of base of vehere to convey, if original sense was “brought together (to a single point)”

Related formscon·vex·ly, con·vex·ed·ly

[kuh n-vek-sid-lee] /kənˈvɛk sɪd li/, adverbcon·vex·ed·ness, nounsub·con·vex, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for convex

Contemporary Examples of convex

A convex lens is fixated on a slanted ceiling emanating a faint amount of soft white light.
Mariko Mori Rebirth at the Japan Society
Justin Jones
October 10, 2013

Historical Examples of convex

On these, magnified by their convex lenses of water, we pounced.
The Atlantic Monthly, Vol. 10, No. 58, August, 1862
Various
The globe at last became concave, then, after they entered its atmosphere, convex.
The Bluff of the Hawk
Anthony Gilmore
The pileus is fleshy, convex, then expanded, and at length depressed.
The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise
M. E. Hard
Pileus fleshy, convex, glabrous, grayish-red or chestnut-color.
The Mushroom, Edible and Otherwise
M. E. Hard
The lamplight was reflected at a single point from its convex surface.
Masterpieces of Mystery
Various

British Dictionary definitions for convex

convex

adjective

curving or bulging outwards

physics having one or two surfaces curved or ground in the shape of a section of the exterior of a sphere, paraboloid, ellipsoid, etca convex lens

maths (of a polygon) containing no interior angle greater than 180°

verb

(tr) to make convex

Compare concave

Derived Formsconvexly, adverb

Word Origin for convex

C16: from Latin convexus vaulted, rounded

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for convex

adj.

1570s, from Middle French convexe, from Latin convexus "vaulted, arched," past participle of convehere "to bring together," from com- "together," or "thoroughly" (see com-) + vehere "to bring" (see vehicle). Possibly from the idea of vaults carried together to meet at the point of a roof. Related: Convexity. Convex lens is from 1822.