Cusp is a noun with a few specializedused for one particular subject or purpose, not general use meanings in anatomythe study of body structure and parts and geometrythe branch of mathematics dealing with shapes, sizes, and space. In everyday English, it is most often used for a pointed tip or a place where two things meet, but the supplied dictionary evidence here focuses on technical senses.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: inaccurate — correction needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Pronunciation
AI-generated pronunciation audio (OpenAI).
Accent: General American English
IPA: /kʌsp/
Easy pronunciation: KUSP (approximate spelling).
Stress: One syllable; stress is on the whole word.
This is the heart-valve sense: a thin triangular flap of a heart valve.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Cusp Meaning
one of the little flaps in a heart valve
Part of speech: noun
Definition: a thin triangular flap of a heart valve
Example: The doctor checked the cusp of the valve during the scan.
Synonyms for this meaning:
- leaflet — A direct synonym in the heart-valve sense.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Other Meanings of Cusp
Meaning 2
the pointed place where two curved lines meet
Part of speech: noun
Definition: point formed by two intersecting arcs (as from the intrados of a Gothic arch)
Example: The arch ended in a sharp cusp at the top.
Meaning 3
one of the raised points on a tooth
Part of speech: noun
Definition: small elevation on the grinding surface of a tooth
Example: The dentist noticed wear on the tooth cusp.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Cusp Synonyms
Similar Meaning
- leaflet
heart-valve flap
- leaflet
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: uncertain — manual review needed. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Common Mistakes
- People sometimes confuse cusp with a general word for a point or tip, but the technical senses are more specific.
- In math and architecture, cusp does not mean any corner; it refers to a particular pointed form.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does cusp mean in anatomy?
In anatomy, cusp usually means a thin flap of tissue in a heart valve. The synonym leaflet is used for this sense.
What does cusp mean in geometry or architecture?
It refers to a pointed place formed by two curved lines or arcs, such as the tip of a Gothic arch.
What does cusp mean in dentistry?
It is the small raised point on the surface of a tooth.
What is a common synonym for cusp?
For the heart-valve sense, leaflet is the clearest synonym. The other senses are technical and do not have a broad everyday synonym in the supplied data.
Reviewed with OpenAI Decisions. Assessment: accurate. Checked: 2026-10-25. AI assessment; not a guarantee of accuracy.