Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “cusp” come from?

Cusp comes from Latin cuspis, which derives from Proto-Indo-European spey-, a root of uncertain original meaning that developed the sense of sharp point or spike.

cusp (English): A sharp point or pointed end; An important moment...

Definitions

  1. A sharp point or pointed end; An important moment...

Ancestry of “cusp”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1Latincuspispoint, tip; spit; sting
2Proto-Indo-Europeanspey-sharp point, stick

Words derived from “cusp”

  • cusped
  • cuspate
  • cuspal
  • cusping
  • intercuspal
  • intercuspation
  • cuspy
  • multicusped
  • cuspless
  • cuspule
  • cusplike
  • cuspation
  • hypercusp
  • cusper
  • ossicusp
  • cuspiness
Every word from Proto-Indo-European spey- →