trapezoid etymology

Etymology

The word "trapezoid" comes from the Greek words "trapezium," meaning "little table," and "eidos," meaning "form." This is because the shape of a trapezoid resembles a table.

Meaning and Origin

A trapezoid is a quadrilateral with one pair of parallel sides. The parallel sides are called the bases, and the other two sides are called the legs.

Trapezoids have been used in architecture and engineering for centuries. They are found in the designs of ancient Greek temples, Roman aqueducts, and medieval castles. Today, trapezoids are used in a variety of applications, including:

  • Building construction: Trapezoids are used to create roofs, walls, and other structural elements.
  • Automotive design: Trapezoids are used to create the shape of windshields, car doors, and other parts.
  • Machine parts: Trapezoids are used to create gears, pulleys, and other components.

Other interesting facts

  • A trapezoid is a special case of a parallelogram, which is a quadrilateral with two pairs of parallel sides.
  • The area of a trapezoid is given by the formula A = (1/2) * (b1 + b2) * h, where b1 and b2 are the lengths of the bases and h is the height of the trapezoid.
  • The diagonals of a trapezoid intersect at a point that divides each diagonal in the same ratio.

trapezoid relate terms

  • trapezium

    Etymology The word trapezium comes from the Greek word trapezion which means littl

  • trapezoidal

    Etymology Greek trapezion literally little table Derived from trapeza meaning tab

  • trapezoid

    Etymology The word trapezoid comes from the Greek words trapezium meaning little ta

  • quadrangle

    Etymology From Latin quadrangulum from quadrāngulus meaning having four angles from

  • bone

    Etymology The word bone derives from the Proto Germanic bainaz meaning bone This r

  • obsequious

    Etymology From Middle French obsequieux from Anglo Norman obsequeux from Medieval Lat

  • ghost

    Etymology Old English gāst ultimately derived from Proto Germanic gaistaz Cognate wi

  • presume

    Etymology Latin praesumere praesumere pre before sumere to take Meaning To

  • notorious

    Etymology The word notorious is derived from the Latin phrase nota reus which means

  • obelisk

    Etymology The word obelisk is derived from the Greek word obeliskos which means po

  • genius

    Etymology The word genius is derived from the Latin word genius which originally re

  • restoration

    Etymology The word restoration is derived from the Latin word restaurare which mea

  • scaffold

    Etymology Middle English skaffold Old French eschaffaut Latin catafalcum a military