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octagon

[ok-tuh-gon, -guh n]
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noun
  1. a polygon having eight angles and eight sides.
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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. 2018

Related Words

octaveoctadoctetoctagon

Examples from the Web for octagon

Contemporary Examples

Historical Examples

  • 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
  1. a polygon having eight sides
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Word Origin

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.

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
octagon in Science

octagon

[ŏk′tə-gŏn′]
  1. A polygon having eight sides.
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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.

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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.