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. architecture
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
Word origin
C16: from Latin cuspis point, pointed end
cusp in American English
(kʌsp)
noun
1.
a point or pointed end; apex; peak
2. Anatomy
a.
any of the elevations on the chewing surface of a tooth
b.
any of the triangular flaps of a heart valve
3. Architecture
a projecting point where two arcs meet, as in the internal curve of an arc
4. Astrology
the transitional part of a sign or house
5. Astronomy
either horn of a crescent, as of the moon
6. Geometry
the tip of a pointed curve
Idioms:
on the cusp
Word origin
L cuspis (gen. cuspidis), point, pointed end, spear
Examples of 'cusp' in a sentence
cusp
Advances in genetics and artificial intelligence leave me feeling we are on the cusp of monumental change.
Times, Sunday Times (2017)
But Arsenal were presented with a pathway back into the game on the cusp of half-time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
He qualified in 1948 on the cusp of a revolution ushered in by the new NHS.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
What is it like to be on the cusp of change?
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Successful sports teams work best on the cusp of change.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
We can feel we are on the cusp of something big.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
We are on the cusp of something really special.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
This is a place on the cusp of something special.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
They doubled their lead on the cusp of half-time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Their belief intensified on the cusp of half-time.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
I was still young but on the cusp of middle age.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Humanity is on the cusp of a revolution, in which humans themselves are at risk of being made redundant.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
I think we're at the cusp of a revolution of treating human learning as a science.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
It's a society on the cusp of revolution - how can you resist?
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Today we are on the cusp of another revolution in food, as genetic technology promises to open up vast new opportunities and unknowns in the food industry.