Cusp (noun) refers to a pointed end or projection where surfaces meet, typically a sharp peak or the foothold of a shape; it can also denote a critical point where change or a decision occurs. It conveys a sharp boundary or transition, often implying a cusp-like apex in geometry or a pivotal moment in events.
"The cusp of the arch is where two curves meet at a sharp point."
"Her career reached a cusp after the unexpected promotion, signaling a major shift."
"The meteorologist warned of a cusp in the storm path, indicating a critical turn."
"In dentistry, a cusp is the raised point on a tooth’s chewing surface."
Cusp comes from the Latin cuspis, meaning a spear or point, from the verb cuspis ‘point, tip’ culturalized into English via Old French cusp. The word first appeared in Middle English around the 14th century, retaining its geometric sense of a pointed projection. Over time, cusp broadened to denote any sharp, projecting point, including architectural features or the line where two curves meet. In mathematics, the term gained formal usage to describe a pointed end or a singular transition in curves and graphs, extending to figurative uses like ‘a cusp of a decision’ or ‘the cusp of an era.’ The core sense remains a sharp apex or transition point, with metaphorical extension to pivotal moments in processes or events. The etymology reflects a general human association of points and peaks with decisive moments or sharp boundaries, a concept preserved across languages and disciplines.
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Words that rhyme with "Cusp"
-usk sounds
-ask sounds
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Pronounce it as /kʌsp/ (US) or /kʊsp/ (UK for some speakers). The stress is on the single syllable. Start with a short, lax vowel (uh) followed by an unvoiced s and the final p. Tip: keep the tongue relaxed, drop the jaw for the /ʌ/ or /ʊ/ vowel, and release crisp /sp/ at the end. Listen to native speakers at Pronounce or Forvo for exact audio reference.
Common errors include elongating the vowel to /uː/ or misarticulating the final consonant as /t/ or /d/. Some speakers insert an extra vowel after /k/ like /ˈkəs.pə/ or forget the final /sp/ cluster, producing /kʌs/ or /kʌs p/. Correction: keep the vowel as a short lax /ʌ/ or near /ʊ/ depending on accent, maintain a rapid /sp/ release without a vowel between s and p, and avoid voicing the final consonant.
US speakers typically use /kʌsp/ with a lax /ʌ/ and a crisp /sp/. UK English can lean toward /kʌsp/ or /kɒsp/ with a shorter /ɒ/ in some dialects; Australian English often uses /kʌsp/ as well but with a slightly tighter /ɦ/ timing and a subtle vowel shift toward /ʌ/ or /ʊ/. Overall rhoticity is not a major factor; key variation is vowel quality and timing of the /sp/ release between accents.
The difficulty lies in the abrupt /k/ onset followed by a short, unstressed vowel and a final /sp/ cluster, which demands precise tongue control and a rapid release. Learners often mispronounce by adding an extra vowel, softening /s/ into /z/, or voicing the final /p/. Smoothly executing the /sp/ sequence and maintaining a short vowel without prolonging it is essential for a natural, native-like /kʌsp/ or /kɒsp/ sound.
Cusp is monosyllabic with primary stress on the single syllable; the vowel is short, unrounded, and lax (US /kʌsp/). The onset /k/ is a voiceless velar stop followed by a short central vowel, then a voiceless alveolar sibilant cluster /sp/. Ensure no vowel after /s/—you should complete the word with a crisp /sp/ release. In careful speech, you might hear /kɐsp/ in some dialects, but /kʌsp/ is standard.
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