diagonal etymology

Etymology

The word "diagonal" comes from the Late Latin "diagonālis," meaning "from a corner to a corner." This is derived from the Greek "diagonios," which in turn comes from "dia-" (through) and "-γωνία" (corner).

Meaning and Origin

A diagonal is a straight line that connects two non-adjacent vertices (corners) of a geometric figure, especially a polygon. In other words, it is a line that cuts across the figure from one corner to another, passing through its interior.

The concept of diagonals has been known since ancient times. Ancient Greek mathematicians, such as Euclid and Archimedes, used diagonals in their geometric proofs and constructions. For example, Euclid's famous Pythagorean theorem states that the square of the length of the diagonal of a right-angled triangle is equal to the sum of the squares of the lengths of its two sides.

Diagonals have various uses in geometry. They can be used to divide a polygon into smaller shapes, such as triangles or quadrilaterals. They can also be used to calculate the area and perimeter of a polygon. In addition, diagonals play a role in determining the symmetry and convexity of geometric figures.

diagonal relate terms

  • agonic

    Etymology The word agonic is derived from the Greek word agōnia which means conte

  • decagon

    Etymology New Latin decagonum from Greek dekagonon from deka ten gonia angle

  • diagonal

    Etymology The word diagonal comes from the Late Latin diagonālis meaning from a co

  • geniculate

    Etymology The word geniculate is derived from the Latin word geniculatus which is t

  • genuflect

    Etymology From Latin genuflectere genuflexus from genu knee flectere to bend

  • genuflection

    Etymology The word genuflection comes from the Latin words genu meaning knee and

  • goniometer

    Etymology From Greek gōnia angle metron measure Meaning A goniometer is an

  • heptagon

    Etymology Greek hepta seven gonos angle Meaning A polygon with seven sid

  • hexagon

    Etymology From Ancient Greek ἑξάγωνον hexágōnon from ἕξ héx six

  • knee

    Etymology The English word knee comes from the Old English word cneo or cnow which

  • kneel

    Etymology and Meaning The word kneel originates from the Middle English word knelen

  • octagon

    Etymology The word octagon is derived from two Greek words okto ὀκτώ mean

  • orthogonal

    Etymology The word orthogonal is derived from Greek roots ortho meaning straight

  • pentagon

    Etymology The word pentagon originates from the Greek words penta meaning five a

  • polygon

    Etymology The word polygon is derived from the Greek words poly πολύ meaning

  • trigonometry

    Etymology The word trigonometry is derived from three Greek words tri meaning th

  • bias

    Etymology Origin Middle English bias from Old French bias from Late Latin biāc

  • solidus

    Etymology Latin solidus meaning solid or firm Meaning A solidus is a unit of

  • slash

    Etymology The word slash has several possible etymologies Old English slean To st

  • bend

    Etymology The word bend has multiple etymological origins Old English bendan to

  • ogee

    Etymology Old French orge 2nd half of 14th century Middle English oge late 14th ce

  • twill

    Etymology Middle English twil from Old English twilian meaning to weave plait Ge

  • sprit

    Etymology The word sprit has two distinct etymologies 1 From Old French Espe o

  • punctuation

    Etymology The word punctuation originates from the Latin verb pungere which means t

  • line

    Etymology The word line originates from the Old French word ligne which in turn deri