Word · Frequency #27384
cusp
转折点；临界点
A point of transition, especially an important moment when a decision determines future events.
常用于 on the cusp of，表示‘即将进入某种状态/新阶段’。
- 1.
A sharp point or pointed end.
- 2.
point formed by two intersecting arcs (as from the intrados of a Gothic arch)
由两条相交弧线形成的尖点(如哥特式拱门的内弧)
- 3.
An important moment when a decision is made that will determine future events.
- 4.
a thin triangular flap of a heart valve
心脏瓣膜的薄三角形瓣叶
- 5.
A point of a curve where the curve is continuous but has no derivative, but such that it has a derivative at every nearby point.
- 6.
small elevation on the grinding surface of a tooth
牙齿咀嚼面上的小突起
- 7.
A point made by the intersection of two curved lines or curved structures, a common motif in Gothic architecture.
- 8.
A boundary between zodiacal signs and houses.
黄道十二宫与宫位之间的分界。
- 9.
Any of the pointed parts of a canine tooth or molar.
犬齿或臼齿的尖头部分。
- 10.
A flap of a valve of a heart or blood vessel.
心脏或血管瓣膜的瓣叶。
- 11.
A point of transition.
过渡点。
尖端；尖头；牙尖；星座交界；宫位交界；尖瓣（建筑）；瓣尖
In use
The Gothic arch comes to a sharp cusp at the top.
The star symbol has five pointed cusps.
The curve has a cusp at the origin, where the direction changes abruptly.
on the cusp of sth
常用于比喻，表示处于重大变化的临界点。
She stood on the cusp of a new career.
她站在新事业的转折点上。
the cusp of sth
The cusp of the arch was perfectly carved.
拱门的尖顶雕刻得完美无瑕。
cusp of a [noun]
用于医学术语，指牙齿的尖端。
The dentist examined the cusp of the molar.
Connections
Collocations
- on the cusp
- 处于……的转折点；即将进入……
- The country is on the cusp of a new era.这个国家正处于一个新时代的转折点。
- cusp of a curve
- 曲线的尖点
- The cusp of the curve is where the direction changes suddenly.曲线的尖点是方向突然改变的地方。
- dental cusp
- 牙尖；牙齿咀嚼面上的突起
- A dental cusp is one of the raised points on the chewing surface of a tooth.牙尖是牙齿咀嚼表面上的突起之一。
- astrological cusp
- 星座交界（出生在相邻两个星座分界附近）
- My birthday falls on the astrological cusp between Leo and Virgo.我的生日落在狮子座与处女座之间的星座交界处。
Idioms & figurative uses
- on the cusp of
- 即将……；正处于……的关键时刻The company is on the cusp of a major breakthrough.
Learner notes
Memory Tip
cusp = 曲线相交的尖点；想想字母C的弧线相交成一个尖角，站在尖端就是转折点。
Context & Register
语域：mixed 常见场景：新闻报道、日常对话、专题评论 表示“转折点、临界点”时，常见于固定搭配 on the cusp of，在新闻报道和日常话题中较自然；单独使用 cusp 则多用于书面或较正式的场合。
Grammar Note
常用于短语 on the cusp of，表示处于转折点。
Pronunciation & Spelling
Cusp /kʌsp/ has no common rhyming word in English. The words below are lookalikes ending in -sp but with different vowels: gasp /ɡæsp/ and clasp /klæsp/ rhyme with each other (both /æsp/), crisp /krɪsp/ and lisp /lɪsp/ rhyme with each other (both /ɪsp/), and wasp /wɑːsp/ rhymes with neither group. Do not pronounce them like cusp.
Learn the forms together
页面下方列出了常见词形变化。学习时注意它们在句子中的语法位置。
Dictionary facts from ECDICT, WIKTIONARY, WORDNET.