trapezoid
trapezoid Lexical Profile
trapezoid Game Scores & Validity
• noun
North American A four-sided flat geometric figure (quadrilateral) having at least one pair of parallel opposite sides.
"In geometry class, the students learned to calculate the area of a trapezoid by averaging the lengths of its two parallel bases and multiplying by the height."
British A four-sided flat geometric figure (quadrilateral) having no parallel sides.
"According to traditional British geometric terminology, an irregular four-sided figure without any parallel edges is classified as a trapezoid."
A small carpal bone in the wrist located in the distal row between the trapezium and the capitate, articulating with the second metacarpal bone of the index finger.
"The orthopedic radiograph revealed a hairline fracture in the patient's left trapezoid following the fall onto an outstretched hand."
• adjective
Having the shape or properties of a trapezoid; resembling a four-sided figure with two parallel sides.
"The architect designed the pavilion with a bold, trapezoid roof that sloped toward the garden."
Word Nuance & Usage
In North American geometry, 'trapezoid' refers to a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides, whereas in British English, that shape is called a 'trapezium' and 'trapezoid' denotes a quadrilateral with no parallel sides.
Word Origin & Etymology
Borrowed from Late Latin 'trapezoides', from Ancient Greek 'trapēzoeidēs' ('table-like'), formed from 'trapeza' ('table', literally 'four-footed') and '-eidos' ('form, shape').