The beauty of the English language is that there is a word for everything. However, it is easy to get confused with hundreds of words. If you doubt how well you know about the words septagon and heptagon, our analysis of septagon vs heptagon should come in handy.
A septagon is a polygon with seven sides and angles. This noun describes a plane figure consisting of seven straight sides. In contrast, a heptagon is a synonym for a septagon. Therefore, their only difference is their spelling. These words have the same meaning, and you can use them alternatively.
Heptagon and septagon are words with different origins. But do they have so much in common? Read on to find out the similarities and differences between the words heptagon and septagon.
Definitions of Septagon and Heptagon
Have you encountered the words septagon and heptagon before? Even as an ardent reader, it is easy to be oblivious to some words, especially ones that do not come up in daily contexts and conversations.
Therefore, it is no surprise that words like heptagon and septagon are foreign to many people. Also, it would not make much sense to discuss the differences or similarities between these words without first shedding some light on their definitions. Below are the definitions of the words septagon and heptagon.
Definitions of Septagon
A septagon is a seven-sided polygon with seven angles. A polygon is a plane figure with straight lines as its boundaries or edges. Therefore, a septagon is a plane figure with seven straight lines and angles.
The first part of the word “septa” means “seven.” It is a Latin word that made its way into the English vocabulary. On the other hand, the second part of the word “gon” is a Greek word meaning “angle.” So, according to its etymology, septagon means “seven angles.”
While this is a correct English word, most dictionaries do not feature it. Its absence in some dictionaries indicates its low popularity and reduced application in contemporary English.
Definitions of Heptagon
In geometry, a heptagon is a polygon with seven sides and angles. It is a seven-sided plane figure with seven angles.
This word comes from the 1560s French word “heptagon,” with the same meaning as the conventional one. It also comes from the Greek word “heptagonon.” The first part (prefix) of this word, “hepta,” means “seven.” The suffix “gon” comes from the Greek word “gonia,” meaning “angle or corner.” So, a heptagon is a figure with seven angles or corners.
This word is more common and acceptable in conventional English, which can be attributed to its origin and etymology.
How To Properly Use Septagon And Heptagon In A Sentence
This article concludes that heptagon and septagon refer to the same thing. Both words refer to a polygon or plane figure with seven straight sides and angles. However, these words have separate origins.
Additionally, they have different spellings and pronunciations. Now that we have clarified the differences and similarities between a heptagon and a septagon, we can go into their applications. Here are some simple tips for using these terms whenever you want to:
How to Use the Word Septagon
Use this word in a sentence to refer to a seven-sided plane figure. Since this word is a noun, when using it as such, you should consider the following:
- Use this noun as the subject of your sentence. The subject answers the questions “who” and “what” about the verbs. For example, “John drew a septagon on the paper towel” (what) or “The septagon is one of the most interesting shapes” (what).
- Use it as a direct object in a sentence. A direct object answers “what” and “whom” after a verb. For example, “Jimmy drew the septagon with all he got” (whom) or “Jimmy gave the septagon tin to Jerry” (what).
- Use it as an indirect object in a sentence. An indirect object answers “whom’ and “for whom.”
- Use it as a countable noun in a sentence. A countable noun has a separate plural form. The plural for a septagon is septagons.
- You can also use this word as a descriptive word for other nouns. For example, “a heptagon-shaped ring.” In this context, the word functions as an adjective.
How to Use the Word Heptagon
Since this word has the same meaning as the former, its applications are similar. So, consider the tips above anytime you apply the word in sentences. The correct plural of the word heptagon is “heptagons.”
Septagon Vs Heptagon: The Mathematical Context of These Words
The difference between the words heptagon and septagon lies in their etymology and spelling. These words are highly applicable in math and statistics. Here is how you can use these words in mathematical contexts, especially in Geometry:
- Use these words to refer to figures with seven equal sides (regular heptagon/septagon)
- Use these words to refer to figures with seven equal angles
- Use heptagon or septagon to describe a figure with seven straight sides
List Of Examples Of Septagon And Heptagon Use In Sentences
Heptagon and septagon are acceptable and recognized English words. Since they have the same meaning, you can use them interchangeably in sentences. However, between these two words, most people prefer heptagon.
Therefore, it would be wiser to stick to it as it is more popular and understandable. However, you are free to use whichever you want. Let us look at a list of sentences featuring the words heptagon and septagon:
Example sentences of the word septagon
- Joyce wanted her bedroom built like a septagon, but she had to break down some walls to achieve it.
- Angela just discovered the best way to calculate the area of a polygon without dividing it into several figures.
- Chandler gave Monica a beautiful ring with a septagon emerald in the middle.
- The contractors built us a septagon swimming pool in our new house’s backyard.
- Chloe’s dressing room contains a big septagon table at the center with some rarest makeup items and collectibles.
Example sentences of the word heptagon
- The angles on an irregular heptagon are challenging to calculate.
- David bought a jacket with heptagon patches on its front and diamonds attached to its back.
- A standard heptagon has equal angles on all its sides.
- The professor taught his students the easiest way to calculate the area of a heptagon without any complicated formulas.
- The heptagon patterns on the dress are its most beautiful and unique feature.
Pronunciation Differences Between Heptagon And Septagon
Besides their spelling, origin, and etymology differences, heptagon and septagon have pronunciation differences. The best way to break down word pronunciations is to separate them into syllables. A syllable is a unit of sound with one vowel.
For instance, the word “heptagon” has three syllables, “hep-ta-gon.” So you can pronounce each word individually. So, the pronunciation for heptagon is “/hĕp′tə-gŏn′/.” On the other hand, the word septagon also has three syllables, “sep-ta-gon.” Therefore, its pronunciation is “/sĕp′tə-gŏn′/.”
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Conclusion
The words septagon and heptagon have the same definition. These words refer to “a seven-sided polygon with seven angles.” However, they have different etymologies. The word heptagon has French and Greek origins. On the other hand, the word septagon has pure Greek origins.
Additionally, the word heptagon is more popular, especially in conventional English, while the septagon is less popular. Some major sources and dictionaries do not recognize septagon as a word on their pages. Therefore, while you can use both words alternatively, it would be wiser to use heptagon because it is more acceptable than the latter.
Shawn Manaher is the founder and CEO of The Content Authority. He’s one part content manager, one part writing ninja organizer, and two parts leader of top content creators. You don’t even want to know what he calls pancakes.