cusp

American  

[kuhsp] / kʌsp /

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.

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cusp British  

/ 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 called: spinode.  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

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Usage

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.

Other Word Forms

• cuspal adjective

Etymology

Origin of cusp

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

Example Sentences

“Congress is on the cusp of upgrading our financial markets for the 21st century.”

From Barron's

England forward Ollie Watkins gave Villa a deserved lead on the cusp of half-time with a powerful strike from just outside the area.

From Barron's

Fish was introduced to the genre on the cusp of his teen years through an episode of the British detective show “Inspector Morse.”

From Los Angeles Times

What’s notable about the film is how harsh it is on both the wayward son and the wealthy dad, who is on the cusp of being elected governor of California.

From The Wall Street Journal

But he also doesn’t believe the market is on the cusp of a crash and wonders whether the surge in more speculative corners of the market might become a more permanent feature of markets.

From MarketWatch