Glossary of shapes with metaphorical names

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Gaussian curve with a two-dimensional domain

Many shapes have metaphorical names, i.e., their names are metaphors: these shapes are named after a most common object that has it. For example, "U-shape" is a shape that resembles the letter U, a bell-shaped curve has the shape of the vertical cross section of a bell, etc. These terms may variously refer to objects, their cross sections or projections.

Types of shapes[edit]

Some of these names are "classical terms", i.e., words of Latin or Ancient Greek etymology. Others are English language constructs (although the base words may have non-English etymology). In some disciplines, where shapes of subjects in question are a very important consideration, the shape naming may be quite elaborate, see, e.g., the taxonomy of shapes of plant leaves in botany.

Numbers and letters[edit]

  • A-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter A
  • B-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter B
  • C-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter C
  • D-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter D
  • Deltoid, the shape that resembles the Greek capital letter Δ
  • E-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter E
  • F-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter F
  • Figure 0, the shape that resembles the numeral 0
  • Figure 1, the shape that resembles the numeral 1
  • Figure 2, the shape that resembles the numeral 2
  • Figure 3, the shape that resembles the numeral 3
  • Figure 4, the shape that resembles the numeral 4
  • Figure 5, the shape that resembles the numeral 5
  • Figure 6, the shape that resembles the numeral 6
  • Figure 7, the shape that resembles the numeral 7
  • Figure 8, the shape that resembles the numeral 8
  • Figure 9, the shape that resembles the numeral 9
  • G-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter G
  • H-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter H
  • I-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter I in a serif font, i.e., with horizontal strokes
  • J-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter J
  • K-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter K
  • L-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter L
  • Lemniscate, the shape that resembles the infinity symbol
  • M-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter M (interchangeable with the W-shape)
  • N-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter N (interchangeable with the Z-shape)
  • O-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter O
  • P-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter P
    • P-trap, a P-shaped pipe under a sink or basin
  • Pi-shape, the shape that resembles the Greek capital letter Π
  • Q-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter Q
  • R-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter R
  • S-shape, the shape that resembles the capital letter S
    • The sigmoid colon, an S-shaped bend in the human intestine
    • S-twist, contrasted with Z-twist for yarn

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ "Bullet Nose". MathWorld. Wolfram. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  2. ^ "Butterfly Curve". MathWorld. Wolfram. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  3. ^ "Bicorn". MathWorld. Wolfram. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  4. ^ "Cassini Ovals". MathWorld. Wolfram. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  5. ^ "lecotropal". Oxford English Dictionary (Online ed.). Oxford University Press. (Subscription or participating institution membership required.)
  6. ^ Allaby, Michael (2015-09-05). The Dictionary of Science for Gardeners. Portland, OR: Timber Press. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  7. ^ Partridge, Eric (2006-05-23). "Origins: A Short Etymological Dictionary of Modern English". Milton Park, UK: Taylor & Francis. Retrieved 2023-03-02.
  8. ^ "Maltese Cross Curve". MathWorld. Wolfram. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  9. ^ "Area of a mushroom-shaped curve". Mathematics. Stack Exchange. 2018-07-17. Retrieved 2019-12-20.
  10. ^ "Scarabaeus". MathWorld. Wolfram. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  11. ^ "Stadium – from Wolfram MathWorld". Mathworld.wolfram.com. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.
  12. ^ "Stirrup Curve". MathWorld. Wolfram. 2013-05-08. Retrieved 2013-05-20.