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VERTEX

Volume 3 · 62 words · 1771 Edition

in anatomy, denotes the crown of the head.

Hence vertex is also used figuratively, for the top of other things: thus, the vertex of a cone, pyramid, &c. is the top of any one of these figures.

Vertex is also used in astronomy, for the point of heaven perpendicularly over our heads, properly called the zenith.

VERICILLATE PLANTS. See Botany p. 637.