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octagon

[ok-tuh-gon, -guh n]
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noun

a polygon having eight angles and eight sides.

Origin of octagon

1650–60; < Latin octagōnon < Greek oktágōnon, noun use of neuter of oktágōnos octangular; see octa-, -gon
Also called octangle.
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Related Words for octagon

octave, octad, octet, octagon

Examples from the Web for octagon

Contemporary Examples of octagon

  • Octagon is primarily known for its sports clients like Michael Phelps and Justin Tuck.

    The Daily Beast logo
    The Man Behind Piers Morgan

    Sean Macaulay

    December 12, 2010

Historical Examples of octagon

  • It was in the shape of an octagon, and the turns were considered very safe.

  • In the application of the dome to the octagon no pendentives are employed.

  • The plan of the Octagon included in its area one bay on each of its four sides.

    Ely Cathedral

    Anonymous

  • The stone-work of the Octagon must be completed by the restoration of the pinnacles and parapet.

    Ely Cathedral

    Anonymous

  • The fourth large window in the Octagon has been filled with painted glass.

    Ely Cathedral

    Anonymous

British Dictionary definitions for octagon

octagon

less commonly octangle

noun

a polygon having eight sides

Word Origin for octagon

C17: via Latin from Greek oktagōnos, having eight angles
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 octagon
n.

1650s, from Latin octagonos, from Greek oktagononos, literally "eight-angled," from okta- comb. form of okto "eight" (see eight) + gonia "angle," related to gony "knee" (see knee (n.)). Also octogon (1650s), from French octogone.

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
octagon in Science

octagon

[ŏk′tə-gŏn′]

A polygon having eight sides.
Related formsoctagonal adjective (ŏk-tăg′ə-nəl)
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
octagon in Culture

octagon

A polygon having eight sides.

The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.