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truncated cone

truncated cone

7.2
A cone shape with the top cut off leaving two round ends of different sizes
  • noun
  • /trʌŋˈkeɪtɪd koʊn/
  • Specialized
translation icon : cono truncado
  • The vase was crafted in the shape of a truncated cone, featuring a wide opening at the top and a narrow base.

Examples

  • A funnel often resembles a truncated cone to allow substances to flow smoothly.

  • The lampshade has the shape of a truncated cone to help diffuse the light evenly.

  • In geometry class, we learned to calculate the volume of a truncated cone.

  • A truncated cone has two circular bases.

  • The shape of a truncated cone is often used in architecture.

  • The architect designed the building with a stunning truncated cone structure that captures attention from every angle.

  • In my geometry class, we learned that a truncated cone is created by slicing the top off a cone.

Synonyms

frustum
vstruncated cone
  • Specialized
9.9

The part of a cone or pyramid left after cutting off the top with a cut parallel to the base

is the specific case for cones with circular bases rather than pyramids

Surface Forms

Morphology

truncated + cone

The meaning 'a cone with the top cut off' follows directly from combining 'truncated' (cut or removed) with 'cone' (a shape narrowing to a point), so the overall concept is literally compositional. This is a straightforward geometric construction that is cross-linguistically common, so a B1 learner who knows both constituents will readily infer the MWE's meaning.

Etymology

Truncated cone comes from the simple image of a cone with its point cut off. The word truncated means 'cut off', so the shape keeps a wide circular base and a smaller top and looks like a cone with the 'tip' removed, which is why we call funnels and some lampshades a truncated cone.