cone

UK: kəʊn | US: koʊn

Definition

  1. n. a solid or hollow geometric figure with a circular base tapering to a point

  2. n. the dry fruit of a conifer (e.g., pine cone)

  3. n. a light-sensitive cell in the retina (anatomy)

Structure
con <cone>
Etymology

The word "cone" traces back to Greek kōnos, referring to geometric shapes and pinecones. Latin adopted it as conus, which entered Old French as cone before reaching English. The term retained its core meaning of a tapering shape, later extending to botany (pinecones) and anatomy (retinal cells).

Examples

  1. The child stacked ice cream cones into a tower.

  2. Pine cones scattered across the forest floor.

  3. Cones in the eye detect color and fine detail.

  4. The volcano formed a perfect cone shape.

  5. She bought a traffic cone for safety drills.