rhombus
nounUK /ˈɹɒmbəs/ · US /ˈɹɑːmbəs/
Etymology Learned borrowing from Latin rhombus, from Ancient Greek ῥόμβος (rhómbos, “rhombus, spinning top”). Doublet of rhomb and rhumb.
1
Geometry, Mathematics, Sciences A parallelogram having all sides of equal length.
2
Geometry, Mathematics, Sciences The rhombus diamond, as one of the suits seen in a deck of playing cards ( or ).
3
In early Greek religion, an instrument whirled on the end of a string similar to a bullroarer.
- The Greeks also used an instrument called a rhombus, or witches' wheel. As the wheel spun round, it was thought that influence was gained over certain people or circumstances.1936, Rollo Ahmed, The Black Art, London: Long, page 58:
4
Biology, Natural sciences, Zoology Archaic Any of several flatfishes, including the brill and turbot, once considered part of the genus Rhombus, now in Scophthalmus.
- the greedy Tuberon or Shark arm'd with a double row of venemous teeth pursues them, directed by a little Rhombus, Musculus or pilot-fish that scuds to and fro to bring intelligence [...].1638, Thomas Herbert, Some Yeares Travels, section I:
- Derived terms
- rhombus star
- Hyponyms
- lozenge
- Holonyms
- rhombohedron