cusp
verbEtymology From Latin cuspis (“a point, spear, pointed end”); first used in astrology. Doublet of cuspid and cuspis.
1
Slang To behave in a reckless or dangerous manner.
cusp
noun/kʌsp/ · Northern-England /kʊsp/
Etymology From Latin cuspis (“a point, spear, pointed end”); first used in astrology. Doublet of cuspid and cuspis.
8 senses
- 1A sharp point or pointed end.
- 2An important moment when a decision is made that will…
- 3A point of a curve where the curve is continuous but has…
- 4A point made by the intersection of two curved lines or…
- 5A boundary between zodiacal signs and houses.
- 6Any of the pointed parts of a canine tooth or molar.
- 7A flap of a valve of a heart or blood vessel.
- 8A point of transition.
1
A sharp point or pointed end.
2
Figuratively An important moment when a decision is made that will determine future events.
- Newcastle were 11 points adrift of Spurs following their 5-0 mauling at the hands of the north London club in February. But a sixth successive Premier League win puts them on the cusp of European football next season as they surged 15 points clear of seventh-placed Everton, who have five games left to play.2012 April 21, Jonathan Jurejko, “Newcastle 3-0 Stoke”, in BBC Sport:
3
Geometry, Mathematics, Sciences A point of a curve where the curve is continuous but has no derivative, but such that it has a derivative at every nearby point.
4
Architecture A point made by the intersection of two curved lines or curved structures, a common motif in Gothic architecture.
5
Astrology, Human sciences, Mysticism, Philosophy, Sciences A boundary between zodiacal signs and houses.
8
A point of transition.
- I see freight returning in a big way. The 2016 reconnection of the Helwith Bridge quarries can produce up to three heavy trains a day. The nearby and much bigger Horton quarry is also on the cusp of rail reconnection.2021 October 20, Mark Rand, “S&C: a line fit for tourists... and everyone?”, in RAIL, number 942, page 40: