Bevel: a math story

bevel \BEV-uhl\, adverb:

1. irresolutely.

noun:
1. the inclination that one line or surface makes with another when not at right angles.
2. a surface that does not form a right angle with adjacent surfaces.
3. (of a lock bolt) the oblique end that hits the strike plate.
4. (of a lock with a beveled bolt) the side facing in the same direction as the bevel at the end of the bolt.
5. bevel square.
6. an adjustable instrument for drawing angles or adjusting the surface of work to a particular inclination.
7. Printing. beard (def. 5).

verb:
1. to cut or slant at a bevel: to bevel an edge to prevent splintering.

adjective:
1. Also, beveled; especially British, bevelled. oblique; sloping; slanted.

This word is quite interesting for two reasons: 

1) Just LOOK at the number of definitions it has.

2) MORE MATH TERMS.

I think that the math people of this world need to let dictionary.com have its literature back, but that's just my personal opinion.  I suppose math has its words and definitions too.  However, since I pledged to define these words on an individual basis every day, here is how I would use this word in a sentence (from definition number 2): "Oh my, that acute triangle is a real bevel!  Math sucks I think it shouldn't be a learning requirement!"

But that's just me.

Why no, vertex is not a part of my life anymore

vertex

\ VUR-teks \  , noun;

1. The highest point of something; apex; summit; top: the vertex of a mountain .

2. Anatomy, Zoology . The crown or top of the head.

3. Craniometry . The highest point on the midsagittal plane of the skull or head viewed from the left side when the skull or head is in the Frankfurt horizontal.

4. Astronomy . A point in the celestial sphere toward which or from which the common motion of a group of stars is directed.

5. Geometry . A. The point farthest from the base: the vertex of a cone or of a pyramid. B. A point in a geometrical solid common to three or more sides. C. The intersection of two sides of a plane figure.

 

Basically, I was unable to use this word in conversation today because its connotation associates with math.  And I hate math.  A lot.

 

Sure, I tried to think of ways to casually use it as a highest point, "Oh yeah, just jump to the vertex of the door here", or, "What do you think the vertex is, in feet, of Lawrinson?"  But nothing I thought of really made much sense.  In addition, I now make garish attempts to avoid using math in everyday life.  My way of laughing in the face of the one subject that kept me from getting straight A's in high school.  Frack you, math.

 

Plus (haha, a math term) if you notice definition number three, it uses terms such as "midsagittal" and "skull", which reminds me all too much of last semester's anthropology class.  Not that I didn't enjoy it sometimes, but it was overall not a winner.  Quite like the Word of the Day today.